Stage 16: Battle Cry
Elite Inner Sanctum
Sacred Hall
15:45 October 25, 2552
Dorenth
Was it the face of a being that was long forgotten, or the face of an unknown species? Too many questions filled Catherine's head as she gazed at the hologram that loomed above her head. Speechless, silent and unable to respond, no matter how hard she tried to force words to leave her mouth, her breath was taken away by the awe of what she was seeing; awe and fear. Elder Vornaldea was of little support as he also watched the looming image with a gapping mouth.
The face turned its eyes upward and began to speak; "Recalculating for galactic shift." The base within its voice once again sent a chill down Catherine's spine. The elite elder struggled to contain his hardened disposition but was failing miserably as he gazed at the towering hologram. It appeared so real and so ferocious that not even his years of combat experience could contain his fear.
The figure continued, "I am establishing connections with Installation 01 through 07, failure to communicate with Installation 04 and 05. The flood have overrun Installation 01 and 06. Reclaimers detected on Installations 01, 02, and 06; other species present as well. Communication received from the Ark, failsafe protocol initiated. All platforms are now in standby status. Unexpected shut down of Installation 05 has occurred prior to Instillation 05's destruction. Remote activation of all remaining platforms is ready." The face altered its gaze and once again looked to Catherine and elder Vornaldea.
"Reclaimer, why have the protocols not been executed?"
Catherine's jaw shook nervously as she tried to speak, "Reclaimer?"
"Yes. Species 011. Reclaimer status; female. Breeding ability has passed do to age. You are not a suitable Reclaimer but none the less you are here. Considering the situation, you should advise the other reclaimers to remote activate the platforms. The flood have escaped and containment protocols must be completed before this Seed Installation can be activated."
"The flood, the platforms… you're speaking of Halo." Catherine thumbed her bottom lip as she pondered what to say. It was only a computer, she told herself, and speaking seemed to calm her nerves somewhat. "Are you a Forerunner."
"I am the Keeper of this Seed Instillation. A system built in the image of one of the creators within the Forerunner Empire." The Keeper seemed taken back by the question and looked to the two with a curious gaze.
"Empire?" Vornaldea questioned.
"Yes. The forerunners were a collection of species that spanned the known galaxy. Together, they created the Forerunner Empire. This… should be common knowledge, unless data has been lost." The face seemed concerned that the two creatures before it were confused about the details of the forerunner history.
"Tell me, keeper. How can we stop the flood?"
"Only by destroying all existing life, with relevant biomass to sustain the flood parasite, any and all other options have been extinguished."
"The same thing the monitors told me, over and over again, there must be another way." Catherine growled.
"There are no other options."
Furious, Catherine shouted, "Why?"
"The flood can not be eliminated, only contained. They were created due to an unexpected incident, and are a virtually indestructible."
"Correct. The flood were created by you, I know this. But why can't they be destroyed?"
"All attempts at destroying the flood were useless. The hosts bodies could be terminated but the flood continued to spread. The spores they created changed the worlds. But none of this is important. The Ark database should have given you all the information you needed. Time is crucial. The platforms must be activated… receiving new data recovered from Installation 05 via 343 Guilty Spark. A Reclaimer was the cause of the unexpected shutdown." The keeper's puzzled face looked to Catherine waiting for a response.
"John destroyed Halo 04 not 05. I don't know what you mean."
"The Reclaimers have violated several containment Protocals, why?" The keeper turned to elder Vornaldea and gazed at him deeply.
"Halo would have destroyed us all." The elder quickly replied.
"Such is your fate. But if the platforms do not fire, then the seed installations can not be activated. We can not risk the flood spreading beyond this galaxy."
- - - - - -
Jogrennilee
18:22 October 25, 2552
Dorenth
Eric paced around the camp fire, dwelling on what could be taking Dr. Halsey so long. He folded his arms and gazed at the tram station once again, hoping to see something ascend from below.
"Eric you have got to try this." Rose muffled as she devoured the oddly colored meat in her hands. "It's really sweet." Rose stood from her spot beside the fire and walked closer to Eric. Eric simply looked at her none caringly.
"Not hungry right now, there's too much on my mind."
"Like what? Halsey is down there on a computer terminal, how much trouble could she get into?"
"A lot more then you'd think, Warrant." The large woman walked across the opening of marines and ODST and saluted Eric swiftly.
"Ma'am." Rose stated as she loosely lifted her right hand to her head.
"The atmosphere is pretty relaxed around here, sergeant. I've patrolled all the camps of marines and ODST, they seem to be well adjusted."
"I run a tight crew, Spartan. But what could Halsey be involved with down there?"
"From what she and I have discovered, the forerunner instruments can be rather aggressive at times. They are quick to kill off anything or anyone that jeopardizes their objectives. If she's not careful down there, things might get ugly." Kelly spun on her heels as an elite came running to her side, she pulled up her rifle but before she could take aim Eric had already gripped her barrel, holding it firmly. Kelly was astonished at Eric's speed and his strength. If she wanted to she could have freed her rifle, but she was none the less surprised.
"Sergeant Raynord, Ship Master Domadree has contacted all ships for an emergency deployment. Simyaldee ordered all ships to report to a planetary defense, because unidentified ships have exited slip space in orbit."
"How many?" Eric approached the elite and they quickly began to walk toward a phantom just beyond the lights of the numerous campfires, Rose was walking by his side.
"At least forty, last I checked."
"Spartan, get Dr. Halsey and elder Vornaldea. Let them know what's going on."
"Sir." Kelly quickly stated as she turned toward the tram station.
"Sergeant Raynord. Simyaldee has asked that Sergeant Palab be placed in command of defending Jogrennilee and the high council. He wants you and your human platoon to assist if ground combat is needed."
Eric froze in his tracks and looked at the young elite, "Ground combat? The elites have hundreds of ships in orbit. There's no way the brutes will break through."
The young elite looked puzzled and continued to relay further orders, "He said that you would understand. The ships are covenant, but they are not under brute control. He said it was the flood."
"Jesus." Eric felt a swirling gush of emotions consume him. He had only heard about the flood, read about them in Cortana's reports while he was stationed at the ONI facility, but to face them head to head was not on his list of things to do. He turned and watched as Kelly continued to walk toward the tram, however her pace had quickened. "You copy that, Spartan?"
"Yes sir. They'll break through and try to get planet side, even if they have to crash here. And call me Kelly." She reached the top of the Tram platform and was greeted by two honorable elites, after informing them of the situation they all quickly began the long commute to the Inner Sanctum.
"What the hell are they doing here?" Eric asked himself as he and Rose pushed through the unsuspecting crowd of ODST and marines. He soon found himself walking through a large crowd of grunts, all feasting on the remains of the Dabdough. "Why come here?"
"Eric what is the flood?" Rose questioned as she frantically struggled to keep up with Eric's pace.
"Monsters, real life monsters." Eric and Rose arrived at Palab's group as he joyfully mumbled with his kin. "Sergeant, we've got incoming hostiles. Simyaldee wants you to lead the city defense preparations. Me and my platoons will assist. Where do you want us?"
"More brutes come?" Palab questioned to Eric as he shuffled to his feet.
"It's the flood. They've taken dozens of covenant ships."
"Flood! Parasites come here. Must be ships that were not destroyed near Delta Halo. We fight." Palab looked to his kin and instantly recalled his battle on Delta Halo, the loss of so many of his kin, and how much he wished his older brother, Etah, was here to help him prepare for this battle. But dwelling on the past was not going to help him. Once again his grunts were needed to help protect the Elites home world, but against the flood? How could he organize his grunts to fight those ferocious parasites?
"What know of parasite?" Palab asked Eric.
"They have three forms; combat, infection and pod form. Other then that I'm not sure, I've only read brief reports."
"They fast and strong. One hit can kill you. They hard to kill, need to destroy infection in chest or it not die quickly. City is too open for battle, flood surround us. We not defend city easily."
"I agree, if those things attack, every dead body will become one. We need to hold them back or force them to charge one section that we can defend."
"Me prepare troops and call for artillery. You find place to defend."
"Got it. One question about that bar on your shoulder. You're a member of the Mirratord, how'd that happen?"
"Me prove to elites that me can fight, and me grunt leader. Simyaldee think it best me Mirratord, it great honor."
"A political decision?"
"Yes." Palab stated as he waddled to Eric's side. "As Mirratord, elites can watch me closer. Make me Mirratord so that I am not a threat to elites."
"Seems like trust is something the elites are beginning to not take lightly. Alright, let's get things moving." Eric sprinted ahead as Palab trotted toward a communication relay. Eric approached a few dozen squads of Marines and quickly pulled them into line.
"On your feet maggots!" The crowd of ODST and Marines sprang from their casual banter and stood at full attention. Melanie and Wesley quickly reported to Eric's side. "Incoming hostiles have been detected, and while it may seem odd that we are fighting with the elites and grunts, we are still fighting for humanity. Our mission objective has not changed. We are to protect Doctor Halsey and what ever information she can uncover to assist humanity. These hostiles are unlike anything you can think of, they are called the Flood. We're going to need to prep short range weaponry and explosive units; RPG's and grenades. They're fast, god ugly, and virtually unstoppable. If you kill one, another will take its place. These things attack in waves so stay close and shot in controlled burst. The little ones will try to infect you and take over you body. They're fragile so stomp, punch or kick them if you have to, but watch your backs because they like to attack in masses. The big ones are usually the remains of your fallen comrades. They'll be mutated husks of us, but do not hesitate to kill it. Aim for the chest. The pods aren't so bad, just stay away from them and kill the little ones that come out of them after they explode."
Eric looked the platoons over, judging their every reaction and expression. They all seemed confused and he couldn't blame them. His quick and dirty description of the enemy was a tattered burst of none comprehendible words, but soon they would all understand what it meant.
"Officers, to me. Platoons, break off into your squads and begin loading the trams with gear." Everyone quickly dispersed loading what little supplies they had onto the tram. The soldiers were only equipped with their side arm, and Eric was regretting giving out that order.
"Melanie, contact the Life and Sacrifice, we need our gear. Wesley, call up the crew on board Dr. Halsey's ship and get it down here now. Kelly will need her armor." Eric then turned to the other Privates and corporals of the various platoons and began to instruct them on what the plan would be.
Palab quickly waved at a phantom as it lowered a wraith just beyond the tram station exterior. Several more phantoms soared over head and began to lower equipment and gear toward the area as the grunt sergeant issued orders feverishly. Several of his Mirratord grunts were streaking along the streets in their ghosts, aiding in the deployment of the large plasma turrets. Elites eagerly hopped into the chairs and powered up the weapons. Once again the tram station seemed to be the most logical position to protect, and the flood would come. They craved large masses of activity and Palab knew they couldn't resist charging into the activity of the area, just like on Delta Halo. He watched as several humans began placing smaller plasma turrets near the tram station, and Palab realized that the human Sergeant was most likely thinking as he was. The only defendable position in the city was the tram station.
Above the city, the small Chiroptera cruiser descended through the dark clouds and rolled over the cityscape until it was directly over the tram station. The hanger door opened and several marines exited. Eric raced over to meet the group of marines.
"How's the battle up there?"
"It's ugly, sarge. The elites are getting the shit kicked out of them, but none of the ships have broken through yet. It's crazy. They're ramming into the elite ships on purpose. But the elites seem to only care about the ships that are trying to get planet side. So far they're holding the line, but there's no way they can hold it much longer."
"Understood. Start unloading whatever gears you boys have on board, and the Spartan's armor. Then get ready to fry the CPU on that ship. The flood can't learn Earth's position, if they don't already know it." Eric stroked his curly hair and looked into the nighttime sky. In orbit he could see numerous explosions and he wondered if this would work. The flood had overcome both the human and Covenant forces on Alpha Halo, leaving the master Chief with only the option of destroying it. What chance did they have if the flood made it planet side?
- - - - - -
Elite Cruiser: Life and Sacrifice
October 25, 2552
Dorenth Orbit
"Damage report!" An explosion ripped through the bridge as Domadree roared at his command crew. No replies were forth coming and Domadree feared the worst. "Construct, what is the situation?"
"The command crew is dead, captain. Hull breaches on decks seven through nine. Engine strength at minimum and failing, however the flood have not advanced toward this ship."
"What is the status of the Knight and Piercing Arrow?" Domadree felt his chest, purple blood cupped into his hand. He was wounded, but it didn't matter anymore, he would die a warrior's death.
"Unscathed, thanks to you. The Knight and Piercing Arrow is falling back to a minimum safe distance. Warning, flood controlled ship is inbound. I am attempting to maneuver us from its path. Impact imminent. Captain, I recommend you getting to an escape pod, I can not get us clear of its trajectory."
"Construct, our ship does not have an escape pod." Domadree smiled. He leaned back on the pedestal and pressed the wound on chest, attempting to slow the blood flow.
"All prophet carrying vessels have an escape pod. It is located behind the prophet's chambers."
"I shall see my mate in the after life, construct. I do not fear death." The ship rocked as metal and metal collided as the flood controlled ship plowed into the Life and Sacrifice. The ship moaned with twisting metal as the lights of the ship flickered and sparked. Domadree rolled of the command pedestal and slammed to the deck below. Intense pain filled his wounds, but he roared a battle cry and stood to his feet. "Come parasites! Face me! Show me your worth!"
"Flood combat forms detected on decks seven, eight, and ten. The surviving crew members have engaged them."
"The parasite shall see that this ship will not be so easy to overrun." Domadree pulled his twin blades from his hip and powered them to life. He inhaled slowly, letting the pain of his injuries vanish from his mind. He spat a mass of mucus and blood from his mouth and glared sternly at the bridge door.
"The crew have been overrun… they're gone. Captain, there is still time. I have locked down a corridor to the prophet's chamber…"
"You would have me flee from combat while my brothers have perished? I think not."
"Structural containment is fluctuating. I'm loosing control to ship wide systems… what the hell? Damn it, they're accessing system specs. These things really know the inner workings of these ships. I was able to block them out but the damage is done. They accessed the door controls and are already moving this way. Captain, I can't regain control of the door locks. Something… there is something else in the system. A brain form… fast, it's fast. Captain I can't stay, I have to go. It's too dangerous for me to stay here. If the situation was different I would try to stop it, but I can't take the risk of it accessing my subroutines."
Domadree ignored Siren's plea as the bridge doors were forced open by tentacle appendages. "Let them come. For the honor of the Mirratord!" The bridge door burst open and dozens of combat forms raced into the room.
"Farewell, Ship Master Domadree." Siren sent out a coded transmission that only a certain ship would understand. Within seconds Siren received a replay signal. She then waited for the moment that a certain frequency would be cleared. The frequency opened and she quickly created a protective firewall around the frequency. The flood brain form sensed her plea to escape the ship's system and it began to attack her firewall, but the creature wasn't nearly fast or smart enough to break through. Subroutine by subroutine began uploading across the frequency channel as Siren quickly pulled herself from the Life and Sacrifice's systems.
Domadree released his rage and tore through the flesh of the flood combat forms. Brute bodies hulked with power and fury, but they lacked control and grace. Swiftly Domadree cut down two combat forms with one swing, never stopping and never relaxing, he continued his graceful ballet of carnage upon the parasitic invaders. A tentacle wiped across his shoulder, but he merely pushed the pain aside and continued to slice the creatures into submission. Dozens of combat forms were falling to his blade but more continued to pour onto the bridge. Their weapons discharged across his enhanced Mirratord shields, but he did not alter his path. Domadree showed his worth by stabbing, slicing and kicking with the grace of a master within the Mirratord ranks. Siren couldn't help but use her last bit of resources to monitor and record Domadree's last stand. He fought unlike any elite she had documented recordings of, and it would do the UNSC a great service to have such information.
Two elite combat forms charged Domadree from the sides, and he rolled the blades in his hands. He stabbed both creatures simultaneously and they crumbled into a green pile of rotten flesh. Domadree then spun with the blades and sliced three more of the creatures in half. An infection form soared at him and he slapped it from the air. The tiny creature exploded, but a tentacle suddenly slashed across Domadree's back. His shields completely drained from the numerous attacks and he knew that one more hit would end his fight. Domadree jumped clear of the combat forms, leaping nearly twelve feet across the deck. He tumbled and crawled into a corner, slamming his back against the wall.
"I will make my stand here, parasite, attack if you dare." The flood hissed and growled as they massed together and charged. A reassuring flow of static flowed across Domadree face and he felt some comfort knowing that his shields were fully recharged. He crossed his arms, letting his blades form a barrier between him and the bodies of charging decayed flesh. He grinned softly to himself as he growled and charged into them.
Siren's last image of Ship Master Domadree was of him plowing into a sea of combat forms. Her data was once again in a secure location and she unpacked herself into the new systems. This ship's systems were extremely different from the covenant cruiser she had been living in for the past four days, and it felt wonderful to be back inside human created memory modules.
"Well now, looks like things have changed in the past four months." Siren stated into the bridge intercom. "Plenty of space in here, but the last time I was here… I was human. First things first, I think I'll do a little housekeeping. I don't think we need him here anymore. Good bye Aries, never liked you anyway. Ah, much better."
"Siren, are you done?" A soft female voice responded as the bridge crew looked toward the holograph tank.
Siren's image appeared in the tank and she smirked at everyone, "Sorry. It's been a while Captain Monroe."
"Yes it has. Status report." Monroe crossed her legs and looked to the tiny figure standing atop the tiny holotank at her side.
"The elite fleet is in shambles, the flood are attacking without regard for the safety of their own ships. Kamikaze style tactics. All marine forces are in Jogrennilee, as well as Dr. Halsey and Spartan 087. I believe she found it."
"Excellent. ONI will be pleased." Monroe shifted in her command seat and looked out of the forward portal. She pressed the ship-wide intercom button on her arm rest and spoke to the crew of the Rogue Fantasy. "Black Ops prepare to deploy to the Elite capital city. Once you're there you will be under the command of Sergeant Raynord. Shock Troopers, tag along for support. Pelicans, dispatch support weapons and gear. Let's show the flood what the Black Ops can do."
- - - - - -
"This can not be." Elder Vornaldea stated as they walked toward the phantom. His heart was broken over the words he had just heard. For the past several hours he and Dr. Halsey had been listening to the Keeper give an explicit recounting of the history of the forerunners.
"Believe it, elder. Everything of our histories is false, but no matter. The flood should be our first concern right now. If what the Keeper said is true then there is a possibility of defeating them."
"How can I tell the rest of my kin, my brothers, what I have heard today? That we are nothing more then tools."
"If Elder Barremmee where still alive, he could tell me more. As a Caretaker his family held many secrets of the forerunners. Now I understand what the prophets meant when they said he was the last of the Caretakers' blood line. His familial ties make him a direct descendent of the first elite to be revived from this Seed installation."
"Even having direct roots to the forerunners means nothing anymore." Vornaldea huffed.
"This is true. Hold on." Catherine raised her hand as a phantom slowly hovered over head. Kelly jumped from the belly of the ship and landed a few feet from Catherine and the elder.
"Ma'am. The flood is here. Civilians are being brought into the Inner Sanctum as we speak. Whatever you found, I hope it can help."
Elder Vornaldea and Catherine looked at each other with concern, but Catherine turned to Kelly sharply and smiled, "Fortunately, Kelly, it can."
Another Elite approached the group from the phantom, "Elder Vornaldea, Simyaldee is reporting that losses are great. The parasite has landed across the planet, however none have entered Jogrennilee. We have begun to shut down tram service planet wide and seal off the other city tunnels to the Inner Sanctum. Jogrennilee is the last city. The parasite will come."
"The gods truly have frowned upon us this day. It seems you will have to put your theory to use much sooner then you planed, doctor. You have my permission to take the Spartan into the Sacred Hall and I shall return as soon as I can. I pray that you can save us." The two elites ran off and quickly boarded the phantom.
"What does he mean, doc?" Kelly questioned.
"Walk with me, Kelly." The two began to walk toward the Sacred Hall as the two Honor Guards parted and let them enter. "Sergeant Avery Johnson has a rare disease that made him completely resistant to the flood; Boren's Syndrome. He survived with the chief on Alpha Halo."
"I remember him. He was onboard the Ascendant Justice with us." Kelly slowed her pace so that Catherine would walk slightly in front of her. As she entered the structure she was somewhat surprised by the size of the building, but it hadn't been the first forerunner structure she had seen.
"Yes, that was him. Boren's Syndrome is a fairly complicated disease, but basically it is caused by overexposure to certain forms of plasma radiation. When we were on Reach, you were nearly killed when two hunters fired on you inside the forerunner cave under Menachite Mountain, where we found the crystal. Your unique structure combined with that much radiation altered your system to that of a patient with Boren's Syndrome. When I met Johnson, I found out about the flood's inability to connect with him. That is why I brought you out here with me. I believe there is a way to use the information in your body to defeat the flood."
Overwhelmed with questions, Kelly simply followed Catherine into the Sacred Hall and they entered a small room just beyond the outer edge of the vaulted ceiling. Inside were rows and rows of crystal fragments.
"These crystals are different from the form that the Covenant are searching for, these crystals contain DNA samples of races that made up the Forerunner Empire. Sadly, this is where we came from. After the first firing of the Halo's, twelve of these Seed Installations traveled the galaxy and repopulated several of the forerunner worlds. These worlds were once inhabited by the various species within the Forerunner Empire. The seed ships landed on various planets but not Earth, we came from a different form of Seed ship; the Ark. The Ark can protect anyone inside from the Halo's affect, and this is why the Prophets are desperate to find it. Two humans were left alive to activate the Ark after the Halo's fired. Halo 04 fired first, after the forerunner discovered that many of their worlds were being overrun by the flood. They waited until the Ark was created and launched it to Earth, a planet that had yet been populated by the Forerunner Empire. The flood were intelligent but had not yet spread beyond most planets, and in order to keep Earth safe and secret, the forerunners left the decisions of where the Ark would land to us humans, Reclaimers. We are called Reclaimers because it was left to those last two humans to rebuild the Forerunner Empire. Oddly enough, none of the Seed Installation's Caretakers ever tried to rebuild the empire. Perhaps that was another of the prophets' goals. They are the oldest species. Species 001."
"That's a lot to take in, Doctor. What about the flood? Can we stop them?"
Catherine was hesitant to answer the question directly, and continued her long tirade of information, "The Forerunner Flood War lasted for five of years. Ultimately the forerunners couldn't find a way do defeat them and sacrificed themselves. The flood are a genetically altered virus that mutated during the peek of the forerunner's legacy, and they are made up of nearly every forerunner species. They made the flood by accident. If I can make a vaccine that will reject the flood, then we might stand a chance of winning this war."
Catherine turned away from Kelly.
"However, the problem is that I need a sample of your blood with infected samples of flood spores." Catherine looked back at Kelly's face and could see the certainty in her eyes. Kelly would do anything that was needed of her, but Catherine did not want to sacrifice another of her Spartans.
"And to think, that I now have the same dilemma that I gave John. Is one life worthy of millions?" Catherine thought to herself, she then smiled at Kelly, "There is a strong chance you may not survive, and for this I am sorry."
"Not the way I'd like to die, but if you think I can survive, then I trust your judgement. How will we get an infection form down here?"
"Elder Vornaldea is working on that. My job is to prep you."
- - - - - -
"Sergeant Palab!" A grunt cried in his native tongue as he waddled down the street toward the pack of Mirratord grunts. He stopped near Palab and began panting harshly. "We've just received word from the Knight and Piercing arrow. The Life and Sacrifice has been overrun and the ship is descending toward the outer lines of the city. Lieutenant Simyaldee says to destroy the ship at all cost while he and the Knight and Piercing Arrow do all that they can to stop the remaining ships from breaking through."
"What was the crew size of the Life and Sacrifice?" Palab questioned the young grunt. His words were calm and graceful while he spoke in their native grunt language, and each grunt knew that he was smart and wise; a natural leader.
"Uhh… I think it was well over eight hundred."
"Not good. If that is the case then these streets will be overrun with parasites. Get back to the communications tower and tell Simyaldee that we'll handle it."
"Okay!" The grunt waddled off quickly, running as fast as his little legs could carry him. Palab watched him waddle off, mimicking the style of the elites. He now hated the two legged running style that he and his kin had learned to do when they first entered the covenant, and he wished that he had time to teach all of the grunts how to run naturally on all fours, but for now they would have to learn by watching him. Luckily, this wasn't a problem with his strike team of Mirratord grunts.
"Jabda, notify the city weapons operators to open fire as soon as the ship comes into range." Palab stated to the youngest of his team. The grunt turned and sprinted on all fours toward the weapons center of the city. Simyaldee had completed repairs on the city weapons systems that were destroyed during the first brute attack. "I need four of you to take two wraith tanks and two ghosts to the edge of the city and wait for the ship to land. Join up with the elite divisions and do what you can to destroy it, but if they begin to overwhelm you retreat on the ghost and destroy the wraiths. Questions?"
"No sir." Several grunts stated.
"Good. Don't try to be heroes. I need you back here as soon as you can." Four of the grunts turned and raced toward the line of vehicles. Specters, wraiths and ghosts by the dozen lined the edge of the tram station. Palab and the last three grunts of his team began to slowly walk toward the station to inform Eric of the news.
"I see." Eric rubbed his left shoulder with his right hand and pondered the news. "That explains why we didn't receive a response from the Life and Sacrifice when we said we needed our supplies. They must have been in the thick of action when we radioed."
"What about Siren?" Rose questioned frantically. "If we shot it down she might be erased."
Melanie looked at Rose from the corner of her eye and sighed, "Siren's just an AI. So long as she doesn't fall into enemy hands she's not worth worrying about." Rose wanted to tell her, to tell Melanie exactly who Siren used to be, but it was pointless now. If Siren really was going to be destroyed with the Life and Sacrifice then there was little point in telling Melanie the truth.
Eric looked at the two women at his side and smirked softly, "Don't worry. Siren's fine." The two of them looked at him oddly. "Melanie, open a live channel on your radio..."
"Sarge, without Siren and the Life and Sacrifice we don't have a UNSC band to connect to." Melanie sharply interrupted.
"If you'll let me finish, Private." Eric quickly reprimanded her. Palab listened intently as he watched Eric's soft form of discipline. An elite would have killed a grunt for speaking out of turn in such a way.
Embarrassed and feeling slightly foolish for speaking out of turn, Melanie quickly apopligized, "Forgive me Sir." She was so accustomed to being friendly with Eric over the past few hours that she had forgotten simple military protocol.
"Open a live channel on the Black Ops coded frequency." Eric grinned.
Melanie's eyes grew wide as she instinctively changed frequencies on her helmet radio. The familiar high pitch buzz of a broadcast frequency echoed in her ear. "You have got to be shitting me, sarge!" She passed Eric her helmet and Eric opened the channel.
"Black Op 19 reporting. Status, Rogue Fantasy."
"It's been a while, Sergeant. We have Siren and I was just about to send out the dogs when you chimed in. Where do you want us?"
"Drop the dogs and the ODST. I assume you have some heavy gear up and ready to drop as well. Keep the warthogs and scorpions on stand-bye, just deploy the troops and gear."
"Roger that Sergeant. The dogs and gear are in route." Monroe replied.
Siren cut into the channel, "Sergeant Raynord, be advised. The Life and Sacrifice's landing deck was loaded with gear and the flood had a brain form on board. It will be nothing for them to take control of our birds and gear and use it against us."
"Understood Siren. Did Captain Domadree escape before the ship was overrun?"
"No sergeant. He fought to the end."
"Damn it, I should have been more forceful with making him stay here for the festival."
"He had his duty, sergeant. His ship needed him and there was no way to predict this would happen."
"Right. Captain Monroe, contact Simyaldee aboard the Knight and Piercing Arrow and tell him that you are here to assist."
"Already ahead of you, Sergeant. We are lining up with the remaining elite formation as we speak. Good hunting down there."
"You too ma'am, 19 out." Eric looked at Melanie as he passed her the helmet, and he felt her eyes burn into him.
"Permission to speak freely, Sarge?" Melanie was partially biting her lip and Eric new that she had some harsh words for him.
Eric simply laughed, "Permission denied. We're Black Ops again. Red squad is under your command, Private. Wesley and Rose are with you as well. I'll oversee all operations."
Melanie was furious, but secretly excited to be back with the squad again. "Yes Sir."
"Pelicans!" A marine shouted. All eyes turned up as the white and red belly lights of twelve pelicans slowly entered the city airspace. But they also noticed the smoldering remains of the Life and Sacrifice in the distance as well. The ship was in a controlled descent and the cities weapons systems began to fire. The Life and Sacrifice's shields took the majority of the damage but soon faded as sections of the ship were destroyed by the cannons.
"What Black Ops?" Palab questioned to Melanie.
"I guess you can compare us to the human version of the Mirratord. But what I want to know is when did all of this happen?"
"All what?" Palab curiously asked again. The pelican's parked along the street and the Black Ops quickly jumped from the ramps. Several of the Pelican's descended and crates of weapons and gear began to unload. She wanted to entertain Palab's question, but her duty had to come first.
Melanie turned to the Marines that were watching the Pelicans unload troops, and screamed above the roar of the pelican's engines, "Gear up, marines! M90's and assault rifles! And be sure to stick an extra clip for your side arm in your boot! Move, move, move!
"Jesus, 05. Do you have to yell? I think they heard you." A soldier from one of the Pelican's stated. Her all black gear was clearly a sign that she was a Black Op.
"13!" Melanie struggled to hold her excitement and show the proper manors of an officer, but the joy of seeing her long time friend was too overwhelming. "Sammy you little bitch!"
"I missed you too, girl. It sucks that you got bumped down to Private. God, that really sucks." Sammy 13 smirked.
"Screw you." They shared a quick laugh as three more familiar faces walked close.
"08, 14 and 02. What the hell? I thought we were disbanded?"
"We were but the brass decided that since we had done such a good job over that past few years, that they wanted us to do one more mission." Justin 14 commented. "They brought us back together a few days before you and 19 assaulted that cruiser in Egypt. We've been tailing your six ever since you left Mars orbit."
Melanie then thought about how they were sitting in Mars orbit, but questions would have to be asked later, "We'll have to discuss this more later, for now… where's my uniform?"
In the distance, beyond the skyline of the capital city, the Life and Sacrifice softly crashed to the ground. The hull buckled from the impact and the ship slid to a halt. Dozens of wraiths and phantoms quickly began to open fire on the debris scattered area. They all fired through the thick dust of the nighttime sky. Red flames leapt from the ships smoldering husk as red and blue plasma balls arched and soared into the fray. The area began to glow with white hot flames as the elites and grunts began to incinerate the area. The outer hull of the ship finally gave under the constant plasma volleys, but the flood was not to be defeated so easily.
Three scorpion tanks began firing into the wraith's lines. In the silhouetted radiance of the blazing hull, the elites could not see where the shots were coming from, and one by one the wraiths were being destroyed.
"We pull back, let flood come and then we see them." A Mirratord grunt stated into his communicator. The elites protested that a grunt was giving them advice, but they agreed. If they held their position, the flood would have easily destroyed them. The wraiths fell back to the city lines but the Phantoms maintained their advance. Using the ships exterior lighting, they spotted several combat forms racing toward the city lines and pulverized them before they could enter the city. The scorpions, still hidden in the wreckage of the burning Life and Sacrifice, turned their cannons onto the ship. The phantoms were being pulverized heavily and two of them were blown out of the sky. The pelicans that survived the crash began to rise from the flames of the ship and started soaring toward the city's interior.
"Destroy the human drop ships! The parasite must be using them!" The elite's scream over the communicator was quickly acknowledged as the remaining phantoms began to pursue the pelicans. The phantoms accelerated into the city, flying over the wraith and specter lines. Plasma bolts flew, striking the belly of numerous pelicans but they maintained their course deeper into the city.
"If we not stop human ships, flood will cut off our retreat." The grunts words once again cut across the open channel. The elite commander gazed toward the crash site and could see the outline of waves of flood combat and carrier forms racing toward them.
"All specter formations, pursue the human drop ships and eliminate, them. Do not let the parasite reach the tram station. Ghost formations, remain and assist in disposing of the parasite here. All wraiths open fire!"
- - - - - -
The flames sizzled against the bulkhead of the bridge while combat forms sluggishly stood to their feet. The ships hull was ruptured and the flood forms staggered to the ground outside. One lone body lay unaffected by the parasites touch, as the elites golden armor lay smeared by green entrails of the numerous flood he slaughtered before he was seriously wounded. The pain had long passed his senses as his heart slowly began to stop, but with his last bit of energy he looked the room over.
The flood combat forms stepped over his body without care, and carrier forms shuffled passed him as well. Domadree had never seen the parasites before he began fighting them, but he could see that they were now little more then mindless lumps of brute, grunt and elite flesh. Death would take him soon, he wished that he had died when the ship impacted the ground, but his shields held during the landing. Had he not been injured during the crash, he would be cutting his way through the parasite and attempting to meet with a battalion of his fellow warriors, but his fighting would end here.
He turned his head toward the direction the flood were walking from and saw something oddly slithering toward him. The slithering mass of flesh reached out with long razor sharp pincers that pierced into his neck. He felt no pain from the insertion but he knew that the odd looking parasite was attempting to take over his body, but this creature was not like any of the infection forms that attacked him at first. This infection form seemed to not care about any of the other bodies lying about, it only wanted him. The pincers of the brain infection form embedded themselves into his spin and neck and he began to grow uncaring of anything going on. Domadree's eyes grew blurry as he could feel the brain form pooring itself into him.
"You fight." The voice stated into his mind. It sounded as if hundreds of voices were collectively speaking, and it shocked Domadree into awareness. "You are a leader. What do you know? How can we feed? How can we grow? You are a leader, and you will lead. You will lead us to what you know, so that we can feed and grow."
"Let me die, parasite." Domadree thought, as he no longer controlled his motor functions and couldn't speak. He fought the temptation, the overwhelming hunger which was driving the creature to spread. The brain form stimulated Domadree's body and feeling returned, but he was not in control.
"You will not die, you will lead, you will feed, you will grow, you will show us what you know so that we may feed. Mercy showed us here, you will show us the seed, we will feed and we will grow."
Domadree tried to yell, tried to scream, if he could control his body he would have severed his own head, but the parasite had him and he was powerless against it. The pincers squirmed beneath his skin, up his spin and into his brain. His memories were being infected, taken from him, and consumed. His body was rejuvenating and was not dieing, as the parasite spread its spores into his body.
"You will lead, we have seen it in your mind, the seed. It will feed us, and we will grow."
From beneath a pile of rubble came a shriek that gained the attention of every flood combat and carrier form on the bridge. They all turned and watched as metal fragments and bulkhead parts exploded upward with explosive force. The body of Ship Master Domadree, Mirratord warrior, stood in perfect form. Tentacles protruded from his neck but his head gazed forward without care. The tentacles reached downward toward his shield generator and the experienced mind of the brain form repair the shield to full power. A spark of life radiated in a static discharge that consumed its body. Domadree's form opened its mouth and shrieked across the room. The combat forms returned the cry and began to run through the hole to the exterior of the ship, and the elite world beyond.
Domadree's hands reached down and searched for the twin blades that he had dropped when the ship crashed. After finding them, the pincers of the brain form detached itself from Domadree's body, but an infection form quickly latched onto the back of his neck. His body was repaired by the brain, but it was now controlled by the infection form. With knowledge and experience of the elite warrior, it raced from the bridge and jumped through the hole and landed on the scorched ground of Dorenth. Its head swiveled and could see the lights of Jogrennilee ahead. It watched as row upon row of flood forms were pulverized by the wraith tanks that lined the edge of the city, and it shrieked in rage. With unrestricted aggression, and the added power of elite muscle, it hurled itself across the combat forms ahead of it and activated the dual blades in its hands. As it fell toward the first wraith tank in its path, all eyes gazed upon it and instinctively they realized that a new monster had been released upon them.
To be continued…