Stage 17: Defense… Clash of the Titans
Jogrennilee
Tram Station
23:14 October 25, 2552
Dorenth
The shrieks and cries echoed throughout the city as specters raced toward the tram station. Flames spat from most of the specter's engines as the elites dismounted the now useless vehicles. Palab squinted in disapproval of not seeing his Mirratord grunts and waddled toward the wounded elites.
"Report."
The elite warriors were taken back, for a moment, as they were momentarily stunned that a grunt would be demanding orders, but they soon recalled that he was in fact their superior.
"Sir, the parasite divided into several packs. We were cut off from the wraith units and we lost communications with them several minutes ago. We shot down several of the parasite's that were using the human drop ships, but we were quickly overwhelmed by them. We did what we could to hold them at bay, but they pushed us back. They stopped pursuing us as we came closer to the defended section of the city."
Palab looked toward the cities edge hoping to see at least one speeding ghost round the corner, "No transmissions from front line?"
"None sir. We believe the entire group was wiped out."
"What of phantom units?"
"After they shot down the human drop ships, they returned to the front line. We lost communication with them after that."
"Assist others with defenses and see to your wounds." The surviving elites trotted deeper into the encampment as Palab sighed to himself.
"Me should not have let them go alone."
Eric walked up behind the little grunt leader and overheard his words, "And what could you have done?"
"Me could have lead them. Found another way to stop parasite. Now parasite use grunts as carriers."
"No time to morn. Defenses are as ready as they're going to be. We have the Tram station fully fortified on all possible sides. What I don't get is why they came here, to the elite home world?"
A gargled roar filled the air with a mixed cry of shrieking horror. Eric pulled hi M90 to shoulder level and felt a chill run down his spin. His eyes looked from side to side as he struggled to find the source of the outcry.
"What in the hell was that?"
"Parasite come." Palab snarled as he grabbed Eric by the arm and pulled him back behind the numerous shield barriers that formed a multi layered wall around the tram station. "Very bad things come!"
"You heard the grunt!" Eric nervously shouted to the core of marines, elites and grunts. "Battle stations!"
"I still say we should have the hunters join us on the front line." Gridolee roared as he approached Eric and Palab. "Their firepower…"
"Would only get us killed." Eric interrupted. "They're too big and if close quarters fighting starts, I don't want to worry about getting trampled by those big bastards. Sergeant Palab wants them in the Tram tunnel, and I agree."
Gridolee huffed as he looked toward Palab, "Very well, Sergeant, but if the battle falters then I will assume command. To think we will trust a grunt to defend our most sacred… no matter. Elder Vornaldea needs to speak with you, Sergeant Raynord. It concerns the human doctor."
Eric nodded toward Palab, and raced deeper into the fortified zone of the tram station. Palab turned and watched as the plasma turret operators began firing into the first row of flood combat forms. Eric could here the plasma turrets firing behind him, and while he would be happier knowing that his gun was pointing at the enemy, he had to find out what was going on within the tram station.
"19!" Melanie shouted as Eric ran passed her.
"Get ready, 05. I need to see what the elder wants, be ready to assist the front when I come back." Eric pushed on as Melanie sighed nervously. Deeper into the tram station, Eric passed numerous elite honor guards and grunt servants being loaded into the tram. This would most likely have to be the last tram to the Inner Sanctum. As he pushed through the crowd of elites he spotted an honored elite warrior wearing his full battle gear and helmet. Eric was still finding it difficult to distinguish between the elites but he knew that Vornaldea was wearing his silver armor.
"I'm looking for elder Vornaldea." Eric stated to the elite. The warrior simply looked toward the back wall of the tram station. Eric followed his glare and spotted two elites talking to several red armored elites. Eric ran toward the group but was quickly stopped by two of the elite guards.
"Let the sergeant pass." Vornaldea softly mumbled as he struggled to breathe. "We have no fear of the humans."
"But elder, how can we be sure?"
"It was one of our young that tried to kill me, and our young would not side with the humans as we have."
"Elder, what happened?" Eric quickly noticed the purple blood stains upon the elder's armor.
"I was caught off guard. I never expected one of our young to be so angry as to strike me." The elder's aid quickly wrapped the wound at the base of Vornaldea's neck, and then placed his highly elaborate helmet on. "But this is not important. Sergeant, a means to stop the spread of the parasite may be possible. Doctor Halsey requests that we bring her an infection form, alive."
"What?"
"Many secrets have been revealed within the Sacred Hall, but for now we must not hesitate. These elite commanders have all agreed to this cause. If we can find a cure against the spread of the parasite, then perhaps a means to destroy them is also possible."
"Okay, I guess we'll need some form of containment." Eric thought deeply.
"All provisions have been arranged. These commanders have been briefed. Hurry, time is crucial. We will not be able to hold back the parasites for long. I have dealt with these parasites in the past, and they are relentless."
One of the commanders placed a hand on Eric's shoulder, "Come, sergeant. Let us make haste." Eric and the five elite commanders sprinted toward the exit of the tram station, and through the heavily reinforced windows they could see the battle at hand. Hundreds of flood combat forms and ghosts were pressing toward the shield barriers as the elite mounted plasma turrets fired into the mass. Plasma mortars erupted around the tram station as Eric spotted two heavily damaged wraiths firing from the distance.
"Shit. We have to go out into that."
One of the red armored elites turned toward Eric, "The call to battle summons us, sergeant. The elder says that the infection forms will come in great numbers. We only need one."
"The infection forms don't bother me. It's the combat form with an RPG that has me concerned." Eric tapped his helmet and prayed that his short wave communication would work. A joyful static burst buzzed into his ear and he sighed in relief.
"Black Ops, change of plans. Select a Shock Trooper to lead your team and then meet me at the command bunker ASAP." Eric depressed the communicator and with the five elite warriors he ran toward Palab's command bunker just beyond the Tram station doors.
The tram station was packed with able bodied warriors all anxious to see battle. The humans were surprisingly feeding off of the eager elites' battle roars as they waited. Normally the humans and elites didn't get along, nor did that like to speak to each other, but the explosions beyond the tram station was a call to battle that none of them could ignore. Instead of being nervous or terrified, the two species were using each other's aggression as a stimulus. The signal to attack was far from coming, but whenever it would be announced every elite and human warrior would eagerly dive into the flood's onslaught. But for now, the battle belonged to the grunts.
As Eric exited the tram station doors he could see plasma grenades arcing from the perimeter as hundreds of grunts fearlessly stood their ground behind the wall of shield barriers, with only two elites per pack. With deadly accuracy, the grunts destroyed five or six flood forms at a time, and the grunts were enjoying throwing the human fragmentation grenades. They found it easy and funny to bounce the grenade off of the side of buildings, in order to destroy flood forms that would normally be out of range. Cheers would erupt from grunt packs as they joyfully tossed grenades around corners or behind flood encampments. Their only concern was the flood controlled wraiths that continuously dropped plasma mortars over the shield bunkers, killing dozens of grunts at a time. But for every grunt that died, two more took its place.
Eric and the elite commanders pushed through several special operations grunts and approached Palab inside his command bunker.
Palab turned away from the action and snarled at Eric, "Why here? Need you inside tram station with others!"
"Special orders from the brass… I mean, elders." Eric found it slightly humorous of his slipup, but thought that it was even funnier how similar the chain of command was within the elite ranks. But the elites didn't really respect rank, only reputation in combat granted them respect. "The elder says the Doctor Halsey may be on to something. She believes she may be able to find a cure against the flood infection. We need to capture an infection form."
Palab turned to one of the spec ops grunts and began speaking in their native tongue, "Take human and elites to Jahbda's position. He reported that a large group of carriers attacked not too long ago."
The spec ops grunt jumped with a nervous shout, "Okay!"
"Be brave, and be careful. We are not going to die here. We will live on." Palab added to calm the grunts nerves. His words seemed to register and the grunt exhaled softly within his methane mask. Palab then turned to Eric, "Follow grunt, he lead you to section where most carrier forms have been spotted."
As Eric turned to follow the grunt, the Black Ops walked toward the bunker in their all black battle gear. It was like looking into the past. Even though it had only been four months since they last fought together, it was odd seeing them all again; together as a squad.
The spec ops grunt waited as Eric addressed his squad, "Alright Dogs, here's the mission. We need to capture an infection form, one of those little small bastards. The elite has the box. We only need one, so the rest of us will lay cover while two of us will grab it. We'll use Gamma and Roe Patterns. Elites, pair off with a member of my squad. I want two by two formations, box carrier in the center of the formation, and a ten foot spread. Elites, use plasma rifles, no swords until we retreat. Dogs, use shotguns for advancements and frag-grenades on retreat. No casualties on this run, damn it. 05, you've got the rear when we advance, then trail us as we retreat. Make them go boom while we run."
"Hell yeah, 19." Melanie 05 replied with a wicked gleam. She made a fist and bumped knuckles with Justin 14.
"Elites, Dogs, get to know your partner. If anyone is wounded out there, you don't leave him or her behind. Get me!"
"HOO-RAH!" Came the human reply, while the elites roared with a united approval. Once again, Palab eagerly listened to the human sergeant. He was curious at the humans leadership ability, and learning from his example.
"13 and 14 take point. Form up and let's move." Eric pumped the chamber of the M90 and led the squad out. The special operations grunt led them toward the front line as plasma grenades exploded ahead of them. Wounded grunts and elites were being pulled back from the shield barriers as random combat forms would jump over the eight foot barriers and attack before it was eventually destroyed. Through the transparent shields, the black ops could see the disfigured creatures on the other side. They used any weapon at their disposal and charged without concern into the streaking blue and pink plasma of the stationary turrets. The closer Eric and his squad approached the front, the faster their hearts would race. This was unlike any battle they had seen. The flood combat forms would fall from an explosion or plasma shot, but then another infection form would dig into the corpse and it would stand again, ready to fight.
"Jahbda, Jahbda!" The spec op grunt barked to the Mirratord grunt at the shield barrier. "Me have orders!"
"What want?" Jahbda, the youngest of the Mirratord grunts, questioned.
Eric stepped forward, "We need to go out there and capture an infection form."
"Many infection forms in area and hiding. We stop firing and cover you." Jahbda then turned the dozens of grunts and the four elites that were under his watch. "Cease fire! Cover them!"
Eric inhaled and held a lung full of breath, as he struggled to contain his nerves. Fighting the elites was nothing, but these monsters had no fear and could easily overwhelm you with their numbers. Eric then pulled his fist up and fanned his hand forward. The elites didn't recognize the hand gestures, but followed their human partners into actions. The group of ten sprinted between the bunkers and was instantly attacked by elite combat forms. Sammy 13, Justin 14 and their two elite partners fired off several rounds into the hulking mass of combat forms. The elite plasma rifles singed the bodies and slowed them down, while the human M90 shotguns blasted the bodies into fragments. Justin 14 was then hit by SMG fire as a human combat form rushed toward the group. Justin's elite partner stepped in front of him and let his shields absorb the SMG rounds, while he returned fire with his plasma rifle. Eric ran closer to the action and pumped an M90 round into the remains of the creature. Justin 14 stood and shook off the shock from the machine gun rounds. A thumbs up to the squad signaled he was good to go.
Eric looked at the elite that had assisted Justin and nodded a thank you. The elite replied with the same gesture. The group then began to fire on another horde of combat forms that were charging from the left. Sammy 13 and Roy 02 turned and faced the approaching threat, but plasma grenades rained down on top of the combat forms and exploded in a chain reaction of blue radiation. The combat forms were incinerated. Eric looked over his shoulder and saw the happy cheers of dozens of grunts on the other side of the barricade.
The bark of a shotgun caught Eric's attention and he turned just as a combat form swung its tentacle at him. Eric ducked and rolled to his left; his muscle enhancements smoothly responding in split second timing. He then quickly stuck the barrel of his shotgun into the combat forms chest and pulled the trigger. The muffled discharge was satisfying as Eric watched the body tumble backward and crumble. The elite carrying the box assisted Eric to his feet, and Eric cursed to himself that he had let his guard down for the split moment. A movement caught Eric's eyesight but he wasn't the only one that saw it. The elite carrying the box sprinted toward building door and inside were dozens of infection forms, huddling over the decayed remains of fallen elites. Two of the elite corpses sprang to life and began swinging wildly at the box carrier. The elite jumped back, and was nearly hammered by a tentacle.
The two elite combat forms raced out of the building, swinging their tentacles wildly. Justin 14 and Sammy 13 easily dodged the tentacles and discharged the shotguns into the two creatures. Sammy then raced into the door and scanned the room. She spotted several of the infection forms scurrying across the floor and was taken back by the sight. She leaned out the door and held her fist into the air, and pulled it down sharply twice, signaling the all clear. The squad raced into the building.
"Hold your fire. Use the butts of your weapon to take them down. Save the one in the corner." Eric ordered. The group spread out in pairs and began to melee the fragile popcorn like creatures. Sammy gagged as she smashed one under her boot. Eric and the box carrier pined one of the infection forms in a corner and the creature leapt into the air at Eric. His instincts were to slap the creature, but doing so would destroy it. Eric jumped back and let the creature fall passed him. The elite then sprang forward and slammed the opened cage on top of it. The energy containment shield then sealed the creature inside.
"Hot damn!" Justin 14 shouted. "Now can we please get the hell out of here?"
"Move by formations people. Elites use those trusty swords of your and cut us a path out of here. 05, you have our asses covered." A scream ripped across the room and Eric saw that Melanie was already tossing grenades into a mass of combat forms.
"Already ahead of you, 19!" Melanie shouted over an ear piercing detonation that shook the ground beneath them.
"Go, go, go!" Eric roared to the squad. The elites sprinted out into the front of the group and began slashing through dozens of combat forms. The elite carrying their fragile cargo ran behind the lead elites, as Roy 02 provided him with cover.
"13 and 08, switch to battle rifles and lay into those pesky bastards! 14 you keep us covered if anything gets close." Eric stayed at Melanie's side as the group back peddled away from the continuously massing group of combat forms. Melanie gleefully tossed grenades at the packs of flood that pursued them and occasionally pulled up her M90 whenever a flood form got too close, but Eric mostly gave her excellent cover. The shield barrier was in site and the grunts began lobbing grenades over the squads head at the pursuing wave of flood.
"Go, 05!" Melanie turned on her heels and began to sprint toward the barriers. Her feet slammed into the ground as she ran, propelling her forward at an unthinkable speed. She was moving so fast that she nearly passed the box carrying elite and his infection form cargo. Eric fired another 12 gauge round into the wave of flood forms and then dropped a grenade at his feet. He turned and ran toward the barrier as the frag-grenade detonated, destroying three flood combat forms that were approaching his rear. Eric was fast, not as fast Melanie, but fast enough that he was able to hurl himself over two rows of the eight foot energy barriers in one leap. He landed behind the second row of shields and ducked between the remaining rows of barriers. Eric then heard a grunt bark something in grunt language. The sky quickly began to turn transparent blue as hundreds of plasma grenades arced over Eric's head. Plasma grenades stuck and landed amongst the waves of flood combat forms and the resulting explosion sent a shockwave throughout the area as grunts cheered. Elites began to bark battle "worts"; excitement of the battle's carnage. Eric exhaled and jogged to his squad. Zero casualties and that was all he cared for.
"14, get to a medic and get yourself checked out."
"Sir." Justin 14 replied as he walked back to the tram station.
"Sarge!" Melanie cried as she pointed back toward the battlefield. The group all turned to see what Melanie was shocked about, and then they all stared with disbelief. A lone elite warrior stood amongst the smoldering flame of the plasma grenades, his golden armor clearly visible through the blue flame. In each hand he held a single bladed plasma sword and from his neck swung short tentacles.
"Domadree?" Eric questioned. Every elite and grunt in the area watched as the combat elite form's shield regenerated and it began to walk toward the barriers. "Black ops return to your assigned squads. Elites, get that infection form to Elder Vornaladea. Tell him to get to the Inner Sanctum now! Don't think, don't ask questions just go!" The elites turned and ran toward the tram stations. Eric then watched as dozen of grenades exploded around the elite combat form, but it continued to stalk toward the barrier. "Mirratord shields? Shit." Eric reloaded his M90, and pumped a round into the chamber, but something wasn't right. All the elite combat forms were usually decayed masses of dead flesh, but Domadree seemed unaltered with the exception of the tentacles protruding from his neck.
As more and more grenades fell toward Domadree's flood form its shields waned and then faded. More grenades fell toward him but he slapped them from the air with his twin blades and they exploded harmlessly away from him. His shields then recharged.
"Needler rounds and turrets! Destroy that parasite!" Roared an elite from the front line. The plasma turrets turned and began firing at Domadree's combat form, but he was too fast, blindingly fast and quick. He ducked and dodged the incoming plasma with ease and he leapt across all five rows of the shield barriers. Needler rounds flared from nearly every grunt, but some missed as the creature dodged and attacked all the elites within his reach. One swipe from his sword was enough to kill them, and as the elites roared in pain the grunts began to panic.
Jahbda tried to rally his grunts. He sprinted on all fours toward the combat form. Like so many times in the past, when he fought at Palab's side on the Knight and Piercing Arrow, he used his speed to out maneuver the flood form. He knew this one was different, but he wasn't going to let his line be broken by one Mirratord elite. He knew the weakness of the Mirratord shields.
Jahbda charged the elite head on. The flood elite raised his blades and hissed as Jahbda approached, and then began to furiously swipe the twin blades at the little grunt. Jahbda rolled to his left and then suddenly jumped over the elites head. While still in the air he pulled a plasma grenade from his side satchel and primed it. He tossed the plasma grenade at the only weak spot on a Mirratord's shield; the back of the neck. The plasma grenade sailed on target but the combat form ducked it, he then jumped backwards and placed itself directly under Jahbda's decent. The flood form then raised the point of one blade at Jahbda in such a way that he couldn't avoid it. Jahbda crossed his arms and let his forearms take most of the impact. It worked, but the pain was immense. The blade burned through his left arm and he slowly began to slide down the blade. Quickly with his right arm, fighting the pain, he gripped another plasma grenade as Domadree's second blade pierced Jahbda's chest.
The young grunt screamed as the pain cut through his body. In desperation he primed the grenade and stuck it to the combat forms chest. The grenade sizzled on the shields and began to glow brightly as it detonated, sending Jahbda's remains tumbling across the ground. The grunts and elites that watched the short battle could only watch the glaring elite combat form hiss with an eerie cry. The dust settled and the creature stood to its feet, unphased by the single grenade. Full of pride and eager to test their might against the powerful flood combat form, several more elites charged the creature, but the grunts quickly began to loose their courage. One by one the elites fell and soon other flood forms began running around or jumping over the shield barriers.
Eric watched on, knowing that he was no match for the combat form. Not even his added strength would be enough to stop the creature's Mirratord training and years of battle hardened techniques. But he knew that if Domadree's combat form wasn't stopped the front line would buckle.
- - - - - -
"Palab! Massive losses on the western side." A grunt shouted into the command bunker. "Reports say parasite break through."
Gridolee huffed at the grunt's words and looked to Palab, "I will gather troops and clean up this mess. Be sure to hold the rest of the defenses, grunt."
Palab didn't reply, but he pondered what was going on. The western defense was where Jahbda was in command, and it was also where Sergeant Raynord went to capture an infection form. Palab watched as Gridolee's massive form exited the command bunker and he hoped that Jahbda, the young Mirratord grunt, was alright.
Gridolee ran toward the front of the Tram station and waved for several of his squad to follow him. A dozen elites and a small group of humans fell into line and they all ran toward the western side of the tram station. As they approached they watched as Eric fired shots into the growing drove of flood forms. A solid ping echoed from his battle rifle as ammo was depleted and he swiftly reloaded. Gridolee then spotted what Eric had been firing at.
"Captain Domadree?"
The elites with Gridolee wasted little time and charged into the thick of combat forms. Their plasma rifles and swords made short work of the regular masses, but any of them that came close to Domadree were swiftly gutted. The marine forces sided with Eric and began to take shots into the drove of flood forms, and shockingly watched as the lone elite combat form massacred anything that came near.
"Gridolee, call back your forces! He's too strong!" Eric shouted over the repetitive bursts from his rifle.
With a roar Gridolee powered his twin blades and dashed through the onslaught of flood forms, cutting them as he went. He then reached Domadree's combat form and their blades collided. Gridolee rolled to side and countered with his left blade. Again, Domadree blocked it. Gridolee's aggressive style wasn't enough to break Domadree's defense, and Gridolee was shocked to see that the combat form utilized Domadree's Mirratord skills as if they were its own.
"Damn you parasite! You take his body as well as his mind? You will go no further, nor shall you spill more elite blood! You will die by my hands!" Gridolee pushed off with the blades, and Domadree lunged with a single swing, a death strike. Gridolee ducked by a hair's length, and increased the distance between him and Domadree. He was faster and stronger now, and Gridolee knew that he couldn't take any over aggressive risks. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see that the flood were using to ghosts to ware down the shield barriers and one by one they were falling.
"Sergeant Raynord, form a defensive line at the tram doors. Fall back to the second line of defense. Notify Palab that the front is lost."
"Damn it." Eric cursed. He yelled above the rifle fire from the marines at his side, "Understood!"
"Sarge, we can hold them here!" A marine shouted.
"If we loose the western side, then the North and East will be exposed to rear fire! We can't take that chance. Notify Sergeant Palab that we need to retreat to the second line!"
"Yes sir!" Eric watched as the young marine raced to the command bunker and then he turned his attention back to the battle. His marines were firing controlled bursts into the wave of flood forms, but they were only slowing them down slightly.
The battle between Gridolee and Domadree continued as the shield barriers faded, and waves of combat forms poured into the area.
"Damn. Gridolee get out of there!" Eric screamed. But the Mirratord warrior turned a deaf ear to Eric and continued to duel with his one time superior. A stray combat form charged at Gridolee's back, but he quickly cut down the creature with his right blade, and used his left blade to guard against Domadree's attack. The strike was forceful and Gridolee tumbled to the ground. He quickly rolled away from Domadree's combat form and stood to his feet. His left arm tingled from the massive blow. More combat forms attacked him, but were easily dealt with.
Domadree yelled in protest and all the flood forms stopped. They then turned toward the tram station and avoided Gridolee completely.
Gridolee shook off the tingle in his arm, "I see. So you are running things here. What have they done to you brother?"
The combat form stared intently at Gridolee and a gargled word escaped its lips, "Seed."
Domadree thencharged at the elite Mirratord warrior. Gridolee stood his ground and waited for the creature's next move.
- - - - - -
Palab walked out of command bunker and watched as a frantic marine sprinted toward him. Palab then looked passed the human and could see several grunts retreating into the tram station, as humans and elites fired from the door toward the western side.
"Sergeant Palab, Sergeant Raynord says that we need to pull back to the second line. The western defense has collapsed."
Palab turned to one of the grunts, "Sound retreat. Me go see situation."
- - - - - -
Elite Flagship: the Knight and Piercing Arrow
Dorenth High Orbit
"Captain Timnaldee, all targets have been destroyed." One of the numerous command crew members stationed aboard the elite's most powerful ship stated. Timnaldee folded his arms and smirked as he gazed at the holographic display of Dorenth. In the hologram were several yellow triangles which marked the remaining elite ships, and one green square which displayed a UNSC tag, however, several red circles were labeled across Dorenth's surface.
"What is the situation in Jogrennilee?" Timnaldee demanded.
"Communications are still active." The communication officer stated as he activated the channel. "This is the Knight and Piercing Arrow, Jogrennilee command do you copy?"
A static filled elite transmission burst across the channel, "… the parasite has broken through. One creature can't be stopped… Domadree! It's Ship Master Domadree, the parasite has taken him. He is cutting through our forces… the human Sergeant is ordering a retreat to the second line. We will try to hold out! Lieutenant Gridolee is trying to stop Domadree… incredible! No.. he's been wounded. We need help, call up the hunters!... I will not obey a grunts orders! We need the fire power!"
"Terminate the channel." Timnaldee smirked. "Clearly it was not wise leaving Sergeant Palab in command. The troops still will not respect his decisions, but none the less it can't be changed." He placed his hand to his forehead and rubbed the migraine that had formed over the past few hours.
Simyaldee, second in command of the Mirratord, walked around the holographic terminal, "Sir, according to that transmission it would appear that Ship Master Domadree has been taken by the Parasite. He was a student of mine. Allow my strike team to venture to the surface and assist in regaining control of the situation."
"Granted." Timnaldee replied through downcast eyes. Simyaldee bowed swiftly and sprinted from the bridge. "Helm, put us directly over Jogrennilee and prepare to launch Orbital Insertion Pods. Communications, hail the human vessel."
"Channel open."
"It would seem that your timing was excellent, and we greatly appreciate your support. But considering that we did not register a human signature emerging from slip space, we can only assume that you've been here for quite some time."
A view screen appeared in front of Timnaldee's command pedestal and he looked directly toward the young woman's image, "Was it that obvious? We've been monitoring the situation on the planet's surface. Is there anything we can do to assist? I have soldiers down there as well."
"No captain, I just sent my best strike team to the surface. This situation will be dealt with."
"Good. Well then, I think we have other things to discuss. I have a message for your High Council and information concerning the Arbiter."
"Very well, human. Speak."
- - - - - -
Eric turned and pulled the trigger of his M90, obliterating the brute combat form that had gotten to close. He stepped back and began to load more shells into his shotgun as an elite stepped up and took his position; firing into the wave of combat forms that continued to press toward the tram door. Eric turned just as Palab walked up to his side.
Palab looked up at Eric, "All front line forces retreated. What situation?"
"FUBAR, unless we can take out down Domadree's body. Not even Gridolee can slow him down."
"FUBAR?"
"If we live through this I'll tell you." Eric chuckled.
"Domadree Mirratord, but parasite never use body like this. Me go help Gridolee."
"Not a good idea." Eric countered as he pumped the M90 in his hand. "My marines laid down Lotus mines while we were prepping. If we have to retreat again, I'm going to blow the whole area. My suggestion is that you get inside the tram station and start organizing our last stand."
"Sarge, we need you up here! Those wraith tanks are pulling into range!" Screamed a frantic marine.
Eric turned and ran to the second line, "I'll hold things as long as I can, Palab." Palab turned and raced inside the tram station. Eric looked outward and turned to two marines. "Get a jackhammer, and smoke those wraiths before they get us!" As the marine jumped up from his post Eric heard a high pitched whistle fill the air.
"Insertion Pods?" Eric turned his eyes upward and spotted seven falling pods, streaking toward the back of the flood's advance.
The pods impacted the streets of Jogrennilee and sent dust and concrete into the air. Eric couldn't see beyond the flood combat forms but he couldn't worry about them. They were either enemy supports, or friendly forces that landed in the wrong spot.
The doors of the pods were blown off and a soft white haze filled the region as the insertion pods' shock absorbent gel vaporized into a thin mist. The seven elite warriors sprang forth and each carried twin single blades. The best team within the Mirratord ranks had arrived.
The flood combat forms quickly turned toward the noise of the roaring elites and began to attack. Simyaldee stepped forward, his twin energy blades gripped at his side. He showed no concern for the combat forms that shrieked and ran toward him. His eyes quickly gazed the battlefield and he pointed his left finger at the two wraith tanks in the distance. Four of the warriors quickly dashed into the crowd of combat forms and cut through them as they ran toward the tanks. Simyaldee then nodded his head and the other two warriors fallowed him toward the tram station.
Plasma sparked across the Mirratords shields as they effortlessly mowed down the combat forms. Human weapons echoed throughout the field, but still the warriors ran on. Simyaldee then approached an elite combat form holding a human RPG. The creature growled and fired the jackhammer's arsenal toward the approaching Mirratord trio.
The two elites following Simyaldee stepped clear of the streaking missle and were forced to alter their course. They began to cut separate paths through the mass of flood forms as their leader pushed forward. The RPG streaked toward Simyaldee, but he continued to show no concern. Simyaldee then lowered his left shoulder and leaned his head slightly to the right, as the explosive arsenal zoomed over his left shoulder and exploded several yards behind him; killing a few combat forms in the process. The combat form holding the rocket launcher raised the barrel to fire again, but Simyaldee ran the creature over. His left energy blade cut off the arm that held the jackhammer, and his right blade cut through the creature's fragile chest. The combat form exploded in a puff of decayed gore and Simyaldee never lost stride.
Simyaldee gazed ahead, focusing only on anything that appeared in his path. Nothing altered his focus and he showed no concern for the other warriors in his team. But he then saw his target. Several yards ahead of him was Gridolee and the combat form of Domadree, locked in mortal combat.
Gridolee dodged as another flurry of swings crashed his way and he soon found that he was not going to be able to attack Domadree. Every attempt was countered and he was forced to retreat. This was the skill of a master within the Mirratord and for the first time Gridolee was faced with fear. Domadree advanced and Gridolee defended himself while trying to retreat toward the tram station. Spurts of plasma and human shells began to flow over Domadree's shields as Eric and the second line fired from cover; attempting to stop the indestructible elite combat form. Gridolee kicked out with his hoof hoping to land a lucky blow, but Domadree easily avoided the young warrior's desperation attempt. Then Gridolee noticed that the humans and elites behind him were no longer firing. Domadree's combat form stabbed with his blade and Gridolee began to block, but another blade appeared between them. Domadree leapt backward and Gridolee felt a massive surge of pain in his stomach. He began to fall back and saw the hoof of another elite kicking at him. Gridolee stumbled back and readied himself only to see Lieutenant Simyaldee glaring at him.
"You did not see his second blade falling upon you, young warrior." Simyaldee sighed. "He nearly ended your life." Gridolee was grateful to see the Mirratord second appear before him, and save his life. He stood to his feat and began to cut down random combat forms that approached, but his main attention was on Simyaldee and Domadree.
Simyaldee turned his attention toward Domadree. The combat form screamed and charge. The elite warrior lowered his posture and exploded forward. The parasite lashed out with its blade and Simyaldee raised his energy blade in defense. The two weapons collided and Simyaldee pulled his twin blades downward, stabbing the points into Domadree's wrists. The speed and power was so great that the Mirratord shields weakened and faded. The combat form shrieked as the blades tore through its wrist and hands. Domadree's combat form jumped backward, away from Simyaldee, ripping its own arms off. As the combat form began to descend toward the ground, Simyaldee sprinted toward the creature and gracefully raised his blade through Domadree's head. With his other blade, Simyaldee followed through with a stabbing motion and his blade cut through Domadree's chest and popped the infection form on his back. The body crumbled to the ground and Simyaldee ran toward the Tram station without concern.
Gridolee gazed at the Mirratord second with a gapping mouth. He had struggled to land one blow on the combat form but Simyaldee had beaten it with little difficulty.
Simyaldee approached Gridolee, "Form up the reaming warriors and press the parasites back. My team will cut them down from the rear." Simyaldee said nothing more. He simply turned and ran back into the overwhelming mass of flood forms.
"How can he be so skilled? He should be amongst the honored, yet is he a simple warrior like myself" Gridolee thought that he was speaking to himself, but his words were overheard by Eric.
"Attack! Take back the front line!" Eric screamed to the marines and elites at his side. The doors to the tram station parted and a typhoon of warriors raced into the battlefield, including the Black Ops. Gridolee turned as they passed him by. He prepared to join them but Eric grabbed his shoulder.
"Was that Lieutenant Simyaldee?"
"Yes, he is the Mirratord Second. You've met him before."
"All those special operation elites look the same. But I did see the purple bar on his shoulder. So he's second in command of the Mirratord?" Even while they talked, Eric never took his eyes off the battle in front of him. Without Domadree's combat form leading them, the flood were being slaughtered by the overwhelming number of elites and marines.
"Yes, and I still have much to learn before I could ever reach his level. His speed, grace and power are unlike anything I have ever seen. I have much to dwell on." Gridolee lowered his head, almost as if he was sad, but he quickly snapped up his twin blades and charged into the battle.
Eric lifted his M90 to shoulder level and waited for more of the flood to break through, but in the distance he heard an explosion. He then saw the smoldering blue flames of wraith tanks.
He turned to the second line marine holding a Jackhammer RPG, "Bout damn time, marine!"
"It wasn't me, sarge. They weren't in range of my sights yet." The marine was as dumbfounded as Eric.
"Must have been more Mirratord support." Eric thought.
The battle was coming to an end around the Tram station, as the flood were slowly being decimated by the combination of human and elite forces. Eric turned as Palab stepped out of the station and surveyed the battle.
"We took back the front lines, thanks to Simyaldee."
"Simyaldee here?" Palab questioned with an excited tone. He looked around the area, scanning excitedly as he attempted to find his leader. Palab was eager to fight by his side again.
"He and seven other warriors dropped in behind the enemy lines and disrupted their advance. He's out there fighting with the others."
"Why you not go?" Palab questioned.
"Someone has to make sure none of the infection forms slip past." Eric chuckled. He then looked over his shoulder and gazed through the doors of the tram station. As he instructed, Wesley and Rose were still together and avoiding combat. With them were five grunts and two young elites in blue armor. He didn't want them to get in the way of his Black Ops or the aggressive nature of the elites during combat. Wesley was an extremely skilled sniper and his usefulness on the field would have been useful, but someone needed to watch over Rose. She had fought enough, Eric thought, and he was going to do his best to keep her out of any more conflicts.
"Me go assist Simyaldee and troops." Palab stated as he motioned to run out into the battle, but Eric grabbed his methane tank and held him at bay. Palab snarled and turned around feverishly quick, as if he was ready to fight.
Eric stepped away slightly and frowned back at Palab, "Calm down! I just don' think it's a good idea for you to go out there. You're in command, so you need to gather some officers and start making orders, not running into battle. You're not just a grunt anymore, Sergeant. You're a leader. Start leading, and fight only when you have to." Palab huffed as he sat down at Eric's feet. None of the elites, not even Simyaldee or his elite friend Belmaeda had ever told him so simply how to be a leader. He had always assumed that he had to lead by example and rush out into combat, but the human was right. It would serve his kin no good if he were wounded in a battle that had already been won. Fighting beside Simyaldee would have to wait for another battle.
"Me understand. You take team and destroy flood bodies within defense perimeter."
"Understood." Eric replied as he turned and walked into the Tram station.
Ahead of Eric, toward the rear of the center of the overpopulated Tram station, Wesley sat with his battle riffle resting between his legs. He would have preferred a sniper rifle, but using the long and heavy rifle to baby sit Rose was pointless. Rose sat a few feet away from him, leaning against a wall, and was surrounded by five sleeping grunts. She thumbed the safety of her magnum as she blankly stared at the floor. Wesley was glad that he wasn't outside fighting those monsters, but he was growing angry that he was stuck with Rose again. She had been ignoring him ever since they landed on the elite's home world, and every time he approached her she only spoke in short none-conversational statements. Wesley was angry, and he couldn't fully understand why.
With every glance at Rose he felt a warm fluster of emotions swell within him. He hated being close to her, the sight of her, and even her numerous sighs were irritating him. He wanted to get away from her, to maker her feel as dejected as he was feeling. Wesley looked away from Rose and the heavy thump of human combat boots caught his ears. He looked up as Eric walked up to him and stood to his feet. Wesley saluted loosely at Eric and was relieved that he could pull his mind off of Rose.
Eric nodded softly at Wesley, "Gear up and wake up the grunts. You, Rose, the two elites and the grunts are on clean up patrol."
Wesley groaned inwardly as he looked at Rose stand to her feet, "Sir, not a good idea. Leave her in here with the grunts. Me and the elites can do this." Rose approached Eric and Wesley and quickly smiled happily at Eric. She had not heard the conversation.
"Do I call you 19 or Sarge, now?" Rose laughed.
"I'd rather not have her in my teams anymore, Sir." Wesley sharply barked after Rose's untimely question.
Rose faced Wesley and gazed at him quizzically as she attempted to fathom what brought on the sudden change of mood.
Eric huffed at Wesley's words, "Fist off, keep your emotions in check. Second, I told you in Mombasa that you are to stick with her at all times. Unless I give you a different set of orders you best not forget that."
"Sir, no Sir. Considering our situation, I believe your earlier orders are…" A clean right hook caught Wesley across the jaw as Eric brought the young man to his knees. Wesley's eyes quickly began to tear as he held his jaw. Eric gripped him by the collar and pulled Wesley away from the two Elites. Rose watched in shock, not knowing how to respond.
Eric pulled Wesley close to him and whispered in his ear, "If you ever question my orders in front of the elites again, you'll have more then my fist to worry about. Do you get me Private?"
Shocked and in pain, Wesley simply nodded a sobbing yes.
Through gritted teeth Eric fumed, "If you want to live through this war, and if you ever want a chance to be with Rose again, you will not question any orders I give you. Hate me, curse me, and smile when I die, but do not disobey my orders. Now you get over there, check Rose's gear, form up your team and start your patrol outside, Private!"
Eric pushed off from Wesley and walked passed Rose, in silence he approached the tram tunnel and began to speak with the elites that led the hunter packs guarding the tunnel. Rose watched as he walked away, confused and shocked at the anger in his eyes, but even more concerned that Eric didn't look at her.
Wesley gathered himself, softly rubbing the pain from his jaw as he turned and walked toward Rose and the two elites. Wesley felt as though his jaw was dislocated, but he knew that Eric held back; Eric could have killed him with his augmented strength. The grunts were still asleep as he walked toward Rose and smirked at her bashfully.
"Grab some extra clips if you need to, we're heading out. Wake up the grunts."
Rose whispered, "Are you alright? What was that all about?"
Rose's concerns were met with a cold silence as Wesley began to check his ammo. Rose sighed heavily as she turned to the sleeping grunts. She clapped her hands and the five red armored grunts sprang to life.
"Come on guys, rest time's up." Rose liked having the odd little creatures around. They rarely complained unless the elites were around, but mostly they were goofing off or sleeping. But the two young elites were less then pleased at the grunts. They both huffed at Rose's timid actions toward them.
"It would suit you well, human, to not get attached to these creatures."
Rose turned to question the elite, "What do you mean?"
"Grunts are worthless, and only in great numbers are they worthy adversaries. Sergeant Palab is the exception, he has earned his place, for now, but that will change." The blue armored elite smirked.
The other young elite elbowed his partner and sharply roared something in their Sangheili tongue. The other elite seemed shocked at the words and lowered his head shamefully.
"Forgive his words, human. He has yet to understand our place. We are young, mere watchmen compared to our older and more experienced brothers. Until we earn our ranks in battle, only then can we speak down to grunts that have seen combat."
Wesley stepped in, "Let's go. We have our orders." The small team began their trek toward the tram station entrance as Simyaldee and Gridolee began to walk in. The two groups passed each other and Rose noticed that Wesley seemed to flinch away from Gridolee. He was still mentally terrified of the monstrously large elite.
Gridolee and Simyaldee walked separate from any other group of elites and talked softly to one another.
Gridolee, with his head held low, walked slightly behind Simyaldee, "I believed my skills were up to the challenge, but to see you in action has given me new confidence in our cause. I thought that my brothers were growing weak and then we allowed a grunt to enter our ranks. I had truly lost hope in our cause."
"Gridolee you are still very young. There is still much for you to learn and had you not disembarked with the Prophet Regret's battle group, than you would have learned more from your mentor, Belmaeda."
"Second, you do not understand what I'm saying."
"You speak as though you thought we would loose against the treacherous brutes and the prophets."
"No. This goes further back, from my academy days as a watchman. We were taught so many things in the academy… words that we questioned to be impossible, but soon came true."
Simyaldee stopped in his tracks and looked into Gridolee's eyes, "What do you mean?"
"The prophets, they taught us that a sign of our weakness would be to trust the grunts and to see them as equals."
"Why would the prophets teach you such things?"
Gridolee lowered his head shamefully, and like a child that had committed a terrible sin he looked upward at the Mirratord second in command, "They told us that the Gods would no longer welcome the elites if an inferior creature was ever allowed to be respected by us. But the Prophet instructors promised us that they would begin a sermon for the young, for the watchmen. I am no longer considered a watchman, but their teachings made us believe that we should turn against the elders if we had to, and then all those that stood by the prophets' teachings would be granted a special place within the great journey. I'm sure the other young still believe these words, even I had considered speaking with the elders and killing the grunt sergeant. I was such a fool to think that we were weak."
Simyaldee ran his hand across his helmet in disbelief, "Damn those prophets! They knew that a bond with the grunts would happen if they turned the brutes against us. They tricked our young into betraying us!"
To be continued…