Disclaimer: Halo belongs to Bungie and Microsoft. I prefer to think I own
the characters I make up in this story but if you really want them, don't
sue me, I love my books.
'Zakamee and his file made their way down the long sloping passage. A file is generally the equivalent of a Human squad and this particular group was no exception. Under 'Zakamee's command were twenty Grunts, fifteen Jackals, and six other lower ranking Elite's. 'Zakamee turned to check on the special package that his file had to deliver. The turning motion made his neck twinge uncomfortably, reminding him of the time he had been struck form behind by the armored Human while listening to new orders. The two black clad Grunts were lugging powerful sensory equipment, to be brought to the location of Halo's weapon by order of Field Master 'Putumee. 'Zakamee turned back to the front and noticed a Major Elite, Saka 'Destabee, approach him.
"File Commander 'Zakamee. I have a report for you." Stated 'Destabee ritually.
'Zakamee smiled, "We don't have to stand on ceremony here 'Destabee. There are no Prophets here to criticize us and you surely don't think I'll report you?"
'Zakamee's friend frowned back and replied, "Ceremony or not, we have a problem. The Jackal's have picked up an unusual scent. Bog is doing his best to calm them but he says it is only a manner of time until the Grunts catch on and start to panic."
'Zakamee grimaced, "Damn. I too have felt a little uneasy, which is odd. We Elite's are not supposed to feel fear, yes?"
"True. But then again things have been screwed up ever since we landed on this God forsaken chunk of rock."
"Metal."
"Whatever."
While 'Zakamee and 'Destabee had been speaking the file had reached the door leading into the main complex, where 'Putumee should meet them with his forces. A Grunt reported the hatch was jammed and so 'Zakamee shoved forward and wrenched the door open. As the hatch clattered to the ground, 'Zakamee stared with amazement at the slaughter that lay before him. Two entire platoons lay inside, their body parts scattered across the floor, painted in the many colors of the Covenant species. The Grunts behind 'Zakamee peered through and started panicking. Most, minors, ran back up the corridor, while a few, mainly majors, stayed with the majority of the forces. 'Destabee, after seeing the carnage slipped away to a corner and emptied his stomach, a few Jackals followed suit as the stench wafted out of the room.
"Wh-what happened?" stammered Bog, leader of the Jackal forces. He seemed a little green around his beak. 'Zakamee couldn't blame him.
"I.do not know." Replied 'Zakamee, "But I do know that our mission is terminated."
"Ready for orders sir." Said 'Destabee as he walked back over to 'Zakamee and Bog.
'Zakamee turned to address his troops, most of which had gathered back to him, "Glorious warriors of the Covenant! Listen to me! An unknown enemy has struck our forces! I can only assume Field Master 'Putumee has retreated due to battle casualties. We must make our way back to the landing zone and evacuate. Leave the sensor unit and give those Grunts weapons. We must escape!"
'Zakamee's warriors gave a mighty cheer, which was echoed, from the room full of dead Covenant. All fell silent at that horrible noise, until a scratching/slithering sound was heard. 'Zakamee slowly turned to face the door, prompted by the wide eyed stares of his warriors, and beheld a sight that would haunt his dreams for the rest of his life. A tidal wave of small, white, globular objects charged over the dead corpses and rushed his position. 'Zakamee wheeled around and saw the Grunts that had ran off rushing back down towards them. The unfortunate Grunts were being chased by a multitude of deformed bipedal creatures. One of the creatures leaped over ten feet through the air and landed on one of the smaller Grunts, breaking its spine with one blow. 'Zakamee attempted to make sense of his rapidly deteriorating situation and came to one conclusion.
"RUSH THROUGH THEM!" bellowed 'Zakamee as he led by example, rushing the nearest figure and cutting it down with one shotgun blast.
The other Covenant shouted a hasty battle cry and charged into, around, and through the enemy's ranks. As 'Zakamee laid low yet another foe with his shotgun, a magnificent weapon he thought, he noticed something disturbing. Although the creature's body was horribly deformed it had a few distinguishing features. Most notably was the head of an Elite slumped bonelessly over one shoulder. Screams from behind prompted 'Zakamee to look back, what he saw was not good. A small squad had been separated from the main group, a few Jackals had formed a shield wall and several Grunts and one Elite was cowering behind it. 'Zakamee recognized the Elite as 'Destabee.
"'Destabee! Abandon your position! Retreat!" shouted 'Zakamee as several well placed plasma blasts popped a whole line of the fragile globe creatures.
"Sorry sir! I cannot comply with your orders! Get the others out! We'll hold as long as we can!"
As 'Zakamee watched a former Elite leaped the wall and struck a Jackal from behind. Although it survived not much longer, the gap allowed the globe things to break through and swarm the defenders. The last 'Zakamee saw of 'Destabee and his defenders was a Grunt hurling a plasma grenade and the blue explosion obscured the rest of his view.
* * * * * *
'Zakamee and his remaining warriors crouched amid a number of toppled crates. 'Zakamee had been fleeing through this maze for over a unit. He couldn't follow his original route because a scouting Grunt reported a strange Human was making its way down the corridor towards them. Static cut the transmission moments after a gunshot was heard. Taking shelter in a small room 'Zakamee waited for the coast to clear. While waiting, 'Zakamee took a mental inventory of his remaining troops and supplies.
Out of his original file, very few had survived. The four full squads of Grunts, about five per squad, had been reduced to a mere reinforced squad, seven, to be exact. The Jackal's were worse off, with only four out of the original fifteen still alive. Of the Elite's, only 'Zakamee and one other still lived. All of their plasma weapons were at low charge and the Grunts that carried the majority of the plasma batteries were long gone. The Grunts also showed an unfortunate tendency to hurl grenades whenever one of these new enemies was spotted, thus leaving the Covenant with a few grenades left. Lastly, 'Zakamee's shotgun was almost out of shots, only ten cartridges were left.
'Zakamee grimaced as he looked at his forlorn troops and called over Rasa 'Quaree, the only other surviving Elite.
"Rasa. What is the moral of the troops?" 'Zakamee almost dreaded the reply.
"Sir. To be honest, the troops are fed up with this constant running and hiding. They either want a decisive battle or an escape, and quickly." Said 'Quaree, confirming 'Zakamee's worries.
"I hope it is the latter. Come, let us depart from this room." This said, 'Zakamee rose up from his crouched position and moved to open the door.
It wouldn't budge and no matter what 'Zakamee did it would not move. One of the Jackals indicated he had found an optional route and the small force moved through it. A series of low, small corridors made this way uncomfortable at best for the two Elite's. The smaller Covenant moved with no problems aside from an occasional nervous look at the confined space they were in. Finally they reached the exit and emerged into yet another scene of chaos. A small squad of Humans were fighting for their lives against an equal number of 'Combat Forms', as 'Zakamee was calling them. The attackers were mostly Elite's but a few smaller forms moved about. Looking closer, after telling his team to keep back, 'Zakamee noticed they were former Humans. 'Zakamee was stunned and relieved at this discovery, the creatures weren't solely after the Covenant, which was a relief, but they could absorb more species, which was bad. 'Zakamee watched dispassionately as the combat forms finished off the Humans. Signaling his troops they scrambled forward, rose and opened fire.
Ammo problems forced the Covenant to make each shot count and so not that many combat forms fell, as they would have from a concentrated barrage. The forms rushed forward and leaped into the air, landing amidst the gathered warriors. Mid-way through the battle, with 'Quaree and a few Grunts already dead, 'Zakamee was knocked down by a blow to his back. Falling on his side he quickly rolled over and beheld a familiar visage. The face of 'Destabee stared back at 'Zakamee, lolling about on its rubbery neck. The form seemed to study him a moment before it raised its tentacles to strike him dead. Reaching out on some obscure hope 'Zakamee shouted out.
"'Destabee stop! It's me! 'Zakamee!" yelled the desperate Elite.
Surprisingly the Combat form halted for a second, enough time for 'Zakamee to shove a plasma grenade onto its chest, where the grenade stuck and started fizzing, and pushed it off the ledge with his feet. The explosion took out the remaining Infection forms and ended the battle. Levering himself painfully to his feet 'Zakamee noticed only he and two Jackals survived, Bog among the two.
"Come sir," said the ever-loyal Jackal, "Grak has found a way out. We should leave now."
Nodding, 'Zakamee walked down the ramp and out a door which led to a wide- open room with a large elevator in the middle. 'Zakamee with Bog and his comrade climbed aboard the lift and rode it up to the ground floor. There the sight of a large-scale evacuation met him. Covenant troops were running to and fro, most of them to the nearby grounded drop ships. 'Zakamee ordered the two Jackals to one, but they needed no urging. They were off as fast as their legs could take them. The drop ship they ran too had the red markings of third division. 'Zakamee choose a different drop ship. He noticed several black armored Covenant climbing into the other side of the drop ship. As the doors closed and the ships took off, 'Zakamee noticed the Banshee's flying aerial cover, they were strafing the ground with their plasma guns and fuel rod cannons. As 'Zakamee watched several unfortunate accidents occurred. First, a drop ship crashed into one of the tuning fork shaped towers and was melted by the blue beam shooting out of it. Second, the escaping convoy was hit by a large rocket barrage. Several Banshee's and two drop ships were downed by this attack. One of the destroyed ships bore the emblem of the third division.
As the Covenant fled from this new, implacable foe, 'Zakamee thought not about avenging his damaged honor against these creatures, but about all the lives lost in this so far pointless conflict, Covenant and Human alike.
'Zakamee shook his head as soon as he thought this to dispel it from his mind. He could not afford such thoughts any more. Somehow, 'Zakamee knew that from now on, the fight for Halo, would be the fight for all their lives.
'Zakamee and his file made their way down the long sloping passage. A file is generally the equivalent of a Human squad and this particular group was no exception. Under 'Zakamee's command were twenty Grunts, fifteen Jackals, and six other lower ranking Elite's. 'Zakamee turned to check on the special package that his file had to deliver. The turning motion made his neck twinge uncomfortably, reminding him of the time he had been struck form behind by the armored Human while listening to new orders. The two black clad Grunts were lugging powerful sensory equipment, to be brought to the location of Halo's weapon by order of Field Master 'Putumee. 'Zakamee turned back to the front and noticed a Major Elite, Saka 'Destabee, approach him.
"File Commander 'Zakamee. I have a report for you." Stated 'Destabee ritually.
'Zakamee smiled, "We don't have to stand on ceremony here 'Destabee. There are no Prophets here to criticize us and you surely don't think I'll report you?"
'Zakamee's friend frowned back and replied, "Ceremony or not, we have a problem. The Jackal's have picked up an unusual scent. Bog is doing his best to calm them but he says it is only a manner of time until the Grunts catch on and start to panic."
'Zakamee grimaced, "Damn. I too have felt a little uneasy, which is odd. We Elite's are not supposed to feel fear, yes?"
"True. But then again things have been screwed up ever since we landed on this God forsaken chunk of rock."
"Metal."
"Whatever."
While 'Zakamee and 'Destabee had been speaking the file had reached the door leading into the main complex, where 'Putumee should meet them with his forces. A Grunt reported the hatch was jammed and so 'Zakamee shoved forward and wrenched the door open. As the hatch clattered to the ground, 'Zakamee stared with amazement at the slaughter that lay before him. Two entire platoons lay inside, their body parts scattered across the floor, painted in the many colors of the Covenant species. The Grunts behind 'Zakamee peered through and started panicking. Most, minors, ran back up the corridor, while a few, mainly majors, stayed with the majority of the forces. 'Destabee, after seeing the carnage slipped away to a corner and emptied his stomach, a few Jackals followed suit as the stench wafted out of the room.
"Wh-what happened?" stammered Bog, leader of the Jackal forces. He seemed a little green around his beak. 'Zakamee couldn't blame him.
"I.do not know." Replied 'Zakamee, "But I do know that our mission is terminated."
"Ready for orders sir." Said 'Destabee as he walked back over to 'Zakamee and Bog.
'Zakamee turned to address his troops, most of which had gathered back to him, "Glorious warriors of the Covenant! Listen to me! An unknown enemy has struck our forces! I can only assume Field Master 'Putumee has retreated due to battle casualties. We must make our way back to the landing zone and evacuate. Leave the sensor unit and give those Grunts weapons. We must escape!"
'Zakamee's warriors gave a mighty cheer, which was echoed, from the room full of dead Covenant. All fell silent at that horrible noise, until a scratching/slithering sound was heard. 'Zakamee slowly turned to face the door, prompted by the wide eyed stares of his warriors, and beheld a sight that would haunt his dreams for the rest of his life. A tidal wave of small, white, globular objects charged over the dead corpses and rushed his position. 'Zakamee wheeled around and saw the Grunts that had ran off rushing back down towards them. The unfortunate Grunts were being chased by a multitude of deformed bipedal creatures. One of the creatures leaped over ten feet through the air and landed on one of the smaller Grunts, breaking its spine with one blow. 'Zakamee attempted to make sense of his rapidly deteriorating situation and came to one conclusion.
"RUSH THROUGH THEM!" bellowed 'Zakamee as he led by example, rushing the nearest figure and cutting it down with one shotgun blast.
The other Covenant shouted a hasty battle cry and charged into, around, and through the enemy's ranks. As 'Zakamee laid low yet another foe with his shotgun, a magnificent weapon he thought, he noticed something disturbing. Although the creature's body was horribly deformed it had a few distinguishing features. Most notably was the head of an Elite slumped bonelessly over one shoulder. Screams from behind prompted 'Zakamee to look back, what he saw was not good. A small squad had been separated from the main group, a few Jackals had formed a shield wall and several Grunts and one Elite was cowering behind it. 'Zakamee recognized the Elite as 'Destabee.
"'Destabee! Abandon your position! Retreat!" shouted 'Zakamee as several well placed plasma blasts popped a whole line of the fragile globe creatures.
"Sorry sir! I cannot comply with your orders! Get the others out! We'll hold as long as we can!"
As 'Zakamee watched a former Elite leaped the wall and struck a Jackal from behind. Although it survived not much longer, the gap allowed the globe things to break through and swarm the defenders. The last 'Zakamee saw of 'Destabee and his defenders was a Grunt hurling a plasma grenade and the blue explosion obscured the rest of his view.
* * * * * *
'Zakamee and his remaining warriors crouched amid a number of toppled crates. 'Zakamee had been fleeing through this maze for over a unit. He couldn't follow his original route because a scouting Grunt reported a strange Human was making its way down the corridor towards them. Static cut the transmission moments after a gunshot was heard. Taking shelter in a small room 'Zakamee waited for the coast to clear. While waiting, 'Zakamee took a mental inventory of his remaining troops and supplies.
Out of his original file, very few had survived. The four full squads of Grunts, about five per squad, had been reduced to a mere reinforced squad, seven, to be exact. The Jackal's were worse off, with only four out of the original fifteen still alive. Of the Elite's, only 'Zakamee and one other still lived. All of their plasma weapons were at low charge and the Grunts that carried the majority of the plasma batteries were long gone. The Grunts also showed an unfortunate tendency to hurl grenades whenever one of these new enemies was spotted, thus leaving the Covenant with a few grenades left. Lastly, 'Zakamee's shotgun was almost out of shots, only ten cartridges were left.
'Zakamee grimaced as he looked at his forlorn troops and called over Rasa 'Quaree, the only other surviving Elite.
"Rasa. What is the moral of the troops?" 'Zakamee almost dreaded the reply.
"Sir. To be honest, the troops are fed up with this constant running and hiding. They either want a decisive battle or an escape, and quickly." Said 'Quaree, confirming 'Zakamee's worries.
"I hope it is the latter. Come, let us depart from this room." This said, 'Zakamee rose up from his crouched position and moved to open the door.
It wouldn't budge and no matter what 'Zakamee did it would not move. One of the Jackals indicated he had found an optional route and the small force moved through it. A series of low, small corridors made this way uncomfortable at best for the two Elite's. The smaller Covenant moved with no problems aside from an occasional nervous look at the confined space they were in. Finally they reached the exit and emerged into yet another scene of chaos. A small squad of Humans were fighting for their lives against an equal number of 'Combat Forms', as 'Zakamee was calling them. The attackers were mostly Elite's but a few smaller forms moved about. Looking closer, after telling his team to keep back, 'Zakamee noticed they were former Humans. 'Zakamee was stunned and relieved at this discovery, the creatures weren't solely after the Covenant, which was a relief, but they could absorb more species, which was bad. 'Zakamee watched dispassionately as the combat forms finished off the Humans. Signaling his troops they scrambled forward, rose and opened fire.
Ammo problems forced the Covenant to make each shot count and so not that many combat forms fell, as they would have from a concentrated barrage. The forms rushed forward and leaped into the air, landing amidst the gathered warriors. Mid-way through the battle, with 'Quaree and a few Grunts already dead, 'Zakamee was knocked down by a blow to his back. Falling on his side he quickly rolled over and beheld a familiar visage. The face of 'Destabee stared back at 'Zakamee, lolling about on its rubbery neck. The form seemed to study him a moment before it raised its tentacles to strike him dead. Reaching out on some obscure hope 'Zakamee shouted out.
"'Destabee stop! It's me! 'Zakamee!" yelled the desperate Elite.
Surprisingly the Combat form halted for a second, enough time for 'Zakamee to shove a plasma grenade onto its chest, where the grenade stuck and started fizzing, and pushed it off the ledge with his feet. The explosion took out the remaining Infection forms and ended the battle. Levering himself painfully to his feet 'Zakamee noticed only he and two Jackals survived, Bog among the two.
"Come sir," said the ever-loyal Jackal, "Grak has found a way out. We should leave now."
Nodding, 'Zakamee walked down the ramp and out a door which led to a wide- open room with a large elevator in the middle. 'Zakamee with Bog and his comrade climbed aboard the lift and rode it up to the ground floor. There the sight of a large-scale evacuation met him. Covenant troops were running to and fro, most of them to the nearby grounded drop ships. 'Zakamee ordered the two Jackals to one, but they needed no urging. They were off as fast as their legs could take them. The drop ship they ran too had the red markings of third division. 'Zakamee choose a different drop ship. He noticed several black armored Covenant climbing into the other side of the drop ship. As the doors closed and the ships took off, 'Zakamee noticed the Banshee's flying aerial cover, they were strafing the ground with their plasma guns and fuel rod cannons. As 'Zakamee watched several unfortunate accidents occurred. First, a drop ship crashed into one of the tuning fork shaped towers and was melted by the blue beam shooting out of it. Second, the escaping convoy was hit by a large rocket barrage. Several Banshee's and two drop ships were downed by this attack. One of the destroyed ships bore the emblem of the third division.
As the Covenant fled from this new, implacable foe, 'Zakamee thought not about avenging his damaged honor against these creatures, but about all the lives lost in this so far pointless conflict, Covenant and Human alike.
'Zakamee shook his head as soon as he thought this to dispel it from his mind. He could not afford such thoughts any more. Somehow, 'Zakamee knew that from now on, the fight for Halo, would be the fight for all their lives.