Bloodied Gulch
By: RaptorRage
Chapter One: Arrival
0300 Hours, January 20, 2570 (Military Calendar)/
Andreas System, Canyon 0251 Codenamed Blood Gulch
planet Naromi
The Pelican Dropship cleared the ridge and began its descent to the landing pad behind Blue Base. It's only source of guidance was a flare in the middle of the pad, because the base's spotlights were off to mask the approach of the Pelican. The bird hovered a foot off the ground and seven Marines in the new Mark VIII armour jumped out and ran inside the base. As the Pelican was taking off, multiple rockets slammed into the nose and cockpit, shearing it off. The Pelican slammed down on the landing pad in a burst of flame.
"Holy shit! We just got off that bird," exclaimed Bob.
"Stow it Private, we're still alive," Gavin responded.
They look out at the burning debris and were all equally astonished that they were alive. The loss of the Pelican let everyone know what kind of war they had just joined up into. As they stood there watching the blaze, another silently walked up next to them.
"It's sad really, that so many have been lost in this war. Sometimes I actually wish that the next one will hit me, so I wouldn't have to fight in it," the mysterious person spoke, "It's a tragic fight, once again setting human vs human, after we beat the Covenant. But, what's done is done. Welcome To Blood Gulch, I am Gunnery Sergeant Jade. It wil be my job to try and bring you all back alive and in one piece. Follow me, lets get inside."
She led them inside of the base. There was four doors once they were inside. One led to the Barracks, which was co-ed to save space. Another led to the Mess Hall. The third led to a mission planning and Armory area. The final door was missing from its hinges, and the room was empty.
"Where's the OIC (Officer-in-Charge) of this base?" asked Mac.
"OIC? There hasn't been an Officer here in about a month. It's said that officers just get in the way of Spartans. I tend to agree with that." Jade replied. "That used to be where the previous Officer would work, but he had an...accident. Decided that he couldn't take it anymore, and set off a couple grenades inside the office with him. Blew the door right off it's hinges, and it wounded a few men. Damn coward."
Jade led them throught the door marked Barracks. Once inside, she took off her helmet, and the others followed suit. She motioned for them to all grab a bunk of their choice. There were plenty to choose from, the entire barracks was devoid of any other life.
"Everybody comfortable?"
They all nodded their heads silently, in awe of the Spartan, as they had come to realize that's what she was, in front of them.
"Welcome to war. It's a hellish place that only few can stomach. No one is sacred in war. There are no favorites. If you don't fight your hardest, you will die. Even If you do fight with your all, Odds are, you are going to die. Your number can come up at any moment, so you'd better make peace with that fact right now. The pilots of that Pelican are dead, because their number came up. They didn't do anything wrong, it was just their bad luck.
That bird was the third one this week to go down. There is a team of Reds up in the rocks, who keep on taking them out. Well, I'm sick and Tired of seeing one Pelican after another go down. I sick of seeing those pilots' numbers coming up. So here's what we're going to do. In ten minutes, I want you all fully suited up, weapons at the ready, and prepared to avenge the lives of your deliverers. We are going to the rocks, and we are going to take out that rocket nest. I don't want to see any more Pelicans go down at their hands. Do you all understand me?"
"Ma'am, Yes Ma'am"
"Alright. Then get to it, meet me in the hangar in ten minutes."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the next Chapter, The Marines are going to fight. Some will make it, some won't. Maybe they will all make it. It all depends. I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can.