The panels of the inconspicuous vents blasted forth as a wave of Flood swarmed towards the soldiers. Millions of the small green round-shaped monsters crawled as their tentacles flew into the air, ready to latch onto any victim.
" Open fire!" roared Hanson.
The sound of gunfire was deafening as a horde of bullets blasted into the Flood. The green plasma balls from the Hunters slammed into the enemies. Hundreds fell, but more continued to crawl out from the ventilation shafts. The distance was rapidly closing between the two adversaries.
" Lob some grenades!" roared the Sergeant. Pins were pulled as grenades flew into the vents where the Flood was venturing out from. Explosions echoed into the tunnels as green gore flew onto the firing Marines. For several seconds the Marines had the upper hand as they cut down the remaining flood. The Hunters began to squash groups of the disgusting parasite with their shields while stomping on the survivors.
Suddenly another wave of Flood emerged from the vent. Just as the Sergeant ordered to put suppression fire on the mob the chair in the center platform burst from its place and another wave of Flood burst from the hole. The huge wave immediately cut through the middle of the group and began to attack the marines and Hunters. Marines screamed as they were pierced by the needles of the small foes while Hunters slowly began to fall as they were penetrated in all their weak spots.
The Master Chief realized that the Flood were not mindlessly attacking them. The first attack had just been a diversion to spread the marines through out the room so that a second force could congregate under the chair and rush the group. It's goal had been to spit the force in half and it succeeded immensely. The Master Chief, Sergeant and a few Hunters and Hell-jumpers were divided from the Admiral and most of the main group . The flood slowly began to tighten their rings around the two groups.
The Admiral and his main group had been pushed against the window of the control room and were attempting vainly to hold back the unstoppable waves of Flood. The Master Chief and his group were opposite from the vents, a few yards from the door.
The Spartan could have charged through the small wall of Flood and broken through but he had an obligation. He had to bring the whole team with him. He began to concentrate his fire on the Flood near the other group as his SMG's vibrated in his hand. Yet, every Flood that he took down it seemed that two would take its place. Both groups were slowly losing maneuvering room as their circle tightened.
Chris and Robert were back to back firing at the incoming wave. Just as Chris's Battle rifle clicked empty, he heard a scream behind. Pivoting quickly, he saw one of the flood creatures latched on to Robert's arm. It's tentacles wrapped around the shirt sleeve as it sent its needle penetrating into his arm. As Robert screamed, Chris scrambled forward and yanked the creature off. He took out his SMG and found a stray plasma rifle on the ground. Chris wielded the two weapons onto the enemy, spraying the mixed combination of plasma and bullets on the Flood. He stood in front of Robert, who had a huge gash along his arm from the "sting" and was bleeding profusely. He still managed to fire his battle rifle into the fray and score a few kills.
Suddenly, the Admiral shouted a incoherent order that the Spartan could not hear. The group under the Admiral's command suddenly switched firing targets and began to hose the Flood that were eating at the Spartan's flank. He instantly realized what they wre doing.
" I can't leave anyone here!" he yelled in his COM as he dropped his empty machine guns and switched to his sword. " So don't waste your time trying to help us."
He proceeded to vigorously slash at the Flood that had began to grab his heels. Popping was heard as the plasma sword cut through dozens of the balloon-like Flood.
" Master Chief, I have given you a direct order to retreat! Do not make me waste the lives and ammunition of my team! You are the last hope for us to accomplish this mission! Go find and destroy the Covenant!"
The Spartan flinched. He could not disobey a direct order from a higher ranked official during a combat situation. Yet, he couldn't leave the lives of such brave men into the hands of the mindless Flood. His years of training and discipline forced the decision upon.
Mission success above all else. Everything is expendable.
" Soldiers! We're getting out of this hell hole! I want every marine, Hell-jumper and Hunter to focus their fire near the radius of the door and let loose all their ammunition. We will rush the remaining forces and break out of here!"
" But Chief! What about the other…"
" Just do as I say! On my command we put suppression fire! On my mark…1,2…FIRE!
Plasma and bullets crashed near the doorway as hundred of Flood were eliminated. A small pathway was cut through the dying parasites as they attempted to survive the incoming attack.
" Charge!" yelled the Master Chief.
And the Master Chief did the one thing that he had never done during a battle in over thirty years.
He ran.
