Stage 24: Earth or Bust
The last Age: Fall of the Forerunner Empire
Twenty Minutes before turning the Key
The Library
Installation 04
Racing through the library with pure determination, the reclaimer fired his energy weapon into a crowd of combat forms; melting their corpses into heaps of decayed flesh. The powerful energy weapon hissed as it cooled and a reassuring beep sounded that it had fully recharged. Another wave of combat forms appeared from behind him, but the reclaimer did not waste the time to fight them. He raced ahead, stepping over the charred bodies upon the ground. He out paced the creatures at his full stride and left them in his dust. The added strength and speed of his battle armor propelled him forward at an unbelievable speed.
He approached a corner and dipped his shoulder into the turn, but he slid across the floor because of the added weight of the armor. He stumbled slightly but quickly regained his stance. Ahead of him was the last door in which had to be opened.
"Montior, open door A-7!" He yelled to an unseen accomplice. He placed his back to the wall and raised his two handed weapon. A burst of pain swelled up his side, but he ignored it and took aim at the end of the corridor. The trailing horde of combat forms turned the corner and their gargles began to bellow loudly throughout the library.
"Yes Recalimer! I will hurry!" 343 Guilty Spark shouted as he accessed a terminal elsewhere.
The reclaimer squeezed the handle of the energy weapon and prepared to fire if needed, "Sentinels, deploy at grid A-7 and A-8." A group of mechanical droids hovered from above, and began firing into the mass of flood forms. The flood leapt into the air to counter the attack of the Sentinels; slamming their mighty tendrils against their metal hulls. Several of the floating weapons exploded in the air, as the flood quickly cut down dozens of the installation's defensive units. Several combat forms began to sprint toward the reclaimer as the doors parted behind him. He squeezed the handle on his energy weapon and a loud hum roared from it, as a concentrated beam swept over the flood. He back peddled through the door as the energy beamed stopped with the familiar hissing sound of compressed coolant. He retreated into the door and quickly looked the room over to be sure that no combat forms were awaiting him. On the opposite side of the door were dozens more Sentinels and they quickly soared out of the room and into the flood infested area to assist the reclaimer's retreat.
"Units divide. Front ten Sentinels advance toward the flood, the remaining units with me. Monitor, seal the door."
"Yes, that is good idea." 343's voice echoed inside the reclaimer's head via a personal communications system. The massive door quickly began to seal shut as energy beams burned into the advancing flood. The door hissed closed as the reclaimer dropped to his knees holding his chest. The remaining Sentinels lurked around in a protective pattern to ensure that the reclaimer was protected. He slowly looked over toward a glowing area and spotted the pillar of light that guarded the Index. "All locks have been disengaged. You may now retrieve the index."
"Is this really what they want me to do?" The reclaimer stated as he slowly walked across the bridge. "If we had more time… If we only knew why they began to spread... so many lives in my hands."
"Reclaimer, I do not understand. Do you not wish to reunite the index with core?"
"So many people will die. The empire will fall. All life as we know it…"
"We must contain this outbreak. I do not understand your hesitation."
The reclaimer stepped forward and reached out to the index. The large hammer shaped object contorted and shifted into a single blade as its key hinges vanished within itself. He took the Key within his hand and a surge of pain exploded within him. He crumbled to his knees and removed his helmet, dropping the index. His face was patched with green decay and his left eye was completely black, yet he could still see.
"The rate of infection is increasing, reclaimer. We do not have much time. Please, take the Index and I will transport us to the control room."
"No. We can't risk me loosing control." The reclaimer reached down to the hole in his armor and noticed that the wound was already healing, but was covered in a green haze of dead flesh. He was infected, and it was taking him over at an alarming rate. "Monitor, I'm giving you new commands to add to your protocols. If the index is ever to be retrieved again, you must take possession of it… for safe keeping. We recalimers are strong, but the infection still renders us vulnerable. I could destroy the key in transit to the control room if the flood infection takes me." 343 descended suddenly from the upper level portal and floated to the reclaimer's side.
"I understand. Generally, only the higher class members of the forerunners can alter Protocols, but I will make this an exception." He turned to the resting spot of the Index and a surge of electricity exploded from his bulbous core, "Protocol requires that I take possession of the Index for transport. Your organic form renders you vulnerable to infection. The Index must not fall into the hands of the Flood, before we reach the Control Room and activate the installation." The index vanished.
"Very good." The reclaimer softly laughed at Guilty Sparks elaboration on his new orders.
"Reclaimer, your new protocol has been uplink to all monitors. All Installations are once again in sink with the new protocol command. We must hurry." A golden ring enveloped Guilty Spark and the reclaimer and they vanished into Halo's teleportation grid. Several minutes passed and they appeared within a large spherical room with a floating center command station. Above it floated a hologram displaying detailed information about the orbiting worlds Basis, threshold and Installation 04 itself.
"…battle. It appears that the flood have begun to take over several of the ships." 343 stated as he exited the tele-porter.
"Give me an open signal to the fleet." The reclaimer feared this moment the most. Knowing the capabilities of the Installation and how crucial his mission was, he had hoped that none of the ships would become overrun; but it happened. The lives of the warriors within his fleet would have been taken without pain once the halo had fired, but if the flood took control of their ships, then the future was in great peril.
343 hovered over the control center and opened a wide band communication to all of the Forerunner battle ships, "Connection established reclaimer."
"This is reclaimer Beta Triton 0322. All ships… self destruct. I repeat. All ships self destruct." The image of hundreds of ships exploding around Basis, Threshold, and Halo was displayed on the control room hologram. The tiny flashing dots indicated the destruction of ships that were under his command. So many lives had just flashed out of existence, and they had to face painful deaths. But he had to do it, to prevent the flood from taking the ships and escaping Halo.
"All communication traffic has been terminated." 343 stated. He then watched as the reclaimer collapsed again as pain exploded up his arm. "There is no more time. The infection will consume you. Take the index."
"So many gone… so many of us just died because of these things. I came here with forty men, and only I made it. Why, why did they hate us so much?"
Guilty spark placed the key into the reclaimers hand and he stood to his feet; gritting his teeth against the overwhelming hunger that was filling him. He placed the key into the slot on the control panel and looked to 343 Guilty Spark.
"If it were your choice would you do it, would you turn the key?" He stared at 343 Guilty Spark and waited for an answer.
The blue bulb of technology fluttered about, pondering the question for a moment, "If the choice were mine, than yes. I would have to."
"You… you make it sound so easy. Think about it… you'll have plenty of time." The reclaimer turned the key and collapsed into a ball of pain. The Center panel began to lift upward as a massive pulse of energy swelled beneath the hovering floor. 343 gazed at the brilliance assuring that everything was happening just as it had during the multiple simulations he had run.
The room vibrated and the index lifted into the air as the pulse of energy swelled all around it. The energy pillared upward and around the index as it charged itself; preparing to fire.
"I won't die… the flood, the infection has me. It will not take me now." With all of his concentration the reclaimer took hold of his energy weapon and pulled it toward himself. He looked at Guilty Spark, the monitor was paying him no mind and watching the Halo prepare to fire. "Forgive me my friends. I can't join you on this journey." The reclaimer charged the weapon's energy cell and gripped it to his chest. The infection within him swelled and tried to push the gun away, but it was too late. The energy weapon overloaded and vaporized the reclaimer in a flash of brilliant blue, as the energy weapon's core exploded.
343 Guilty Spark looked back after the explosion, "Reclaimer? That was odd, he was in no condition to move. Hmm." 343 Guilty Spark then returned to monitoring the swelling of power making sure that everything went accordingly. After several minutes the index shifted and began to glow bright green. A pulse of energy surged from within the index and the energy was propelled upward.
From the top of the control room, a green ball of energy was fired from the main array. The energy streaked into the sky and traveled to the center of the halo ring world, then exploded in an expanding shockwave that engulfed everything in sight. It continued to expand outward, in all directions as it approached a smoldering ship and its lingering life pods.
Within one of the life pod stood three reclaimers, wounded and tired as they gazed out the window toward the approaching event horizon of the Installation's weapon.
"Triton did it." One of them spoke. The wave swept across the pod, phasing through its metallic structure and washed across the three humanoid life forms. As the wave of energy touched their bodies, it began to erase them from existence. The three reclaimers vanished into nothingness.
- - - - - - - -
Seed Ship
Human Emergency Medical Ward
11:37 October 26, 2552
Darkness filed the human medical ward of the Seed ship, as several wounded marines and ODST attempted to sleep away their pains. The medical staff had long since departed and joined with other humans to go and defend the Ancient City. With the looming threat of the Gravemind, High Elder Vornaldea had recanted the order to detain the humans; temporarily. Anyone that could fight was needed, because if the creature was not destroyed then there was no hope for anyone.
Doctor Catherine Halsey quickly entered the room, ignoring the less severely wounded marines, and headed toward the critical resting room. The room was hastily put together, yet it served its function. Catherine pushed the curtain back and stepped inside, pulling the curtain closed behind her.
"Ah, Doctor Halsey, you have come. Please, the wounded reclaimer is this way." The keeper's voice was soft over the intercom and Catherine continued deeper into the room.
"Why is Sergeant Raynord so intriguing to you?" Catherine questioned as she neared Eric's unconscious form.
"The Construct has given me a great deal of information on the inner workings of this particular reclaimer, and his mental state. Healing him is of great importance, his mission objectives are the only ones that seem… adequate."
Catherine leaned over the table and began to give Eric a visual exam, "He seems fine, but he still needs a few hours…"
"That is most unacceptable. This reclaimer must become active at once. You must see the value of having his skill in combat against the Gravemind. The other reclaimer, Kelly, will be quite useful, but when that battle is complete and we arrive at the Ark, this reclaimer will be needed. I have done a very thorough analysis of this situation and species 005 will not allow the reclaimers to continue their plans. This reclaimer, Sergeant Raynord, will stick to Protocols."
"What?" Catherine ran her hand across Eric's side, checking the scars from his lung replacement.
"The flood are spreading beyond control. All installation monitors that are still functioning are reporting that the flood are spreading. They have found the location of the Ark and are in the process of finding a means to get there. Protocols must be enacted immediately."
Catherine mumbled, "What makes you so sure that Sergeant Raynord will follow your protocols?" Catherine placed a syringe into Eric's arm and injected him with an agent that would revive him.
"He will do what is necessary to see that the reclaimer home world, Earth, is protected. But also, he has great hatred toward species 005. He has altered his mission slightly, but according to my analysis of the construct Siren's memories, he will not let species 005 impede his mission." Eric began to groan as he slowly opened his eyes.
Catherine looked at him with a curious gaze, "Why does Siren know so much about Eric's memories?"
"She was a reclaimer. She was his mate. They served together for many years, but she was killed by species 005 on the human colony world of…"
"…Troy." Catherine gasped in surprise. Eric rolled his head over and looked into Catherine's eyes as he sat up on the bunk.
"Excellent, this reclaimer is awake and will prove most useful."
"Sergeant." Catherine nervously stated as she spotted the gleam in his eyes.
"Did everyone get out?" Eric asked as he rubbed his sore side and shoulder.
"Yes, but there has been a new series of events…"
The keeper quickly cut into Catherine's words, "There is another Gravemind onboard the seed ship. We have left Installation 012 and we are prepared to journey closer to Earth and closer to the Ark, but until this new Gravemind creature is destroyed we can not travel. I also believe that that species 005, the elites, will not follow protocol. They are determined to stay onboard this ship, which means they will not agree to taking it to Earth. They are rather stubborn creatures. I agree with you that they will need to be eliminated."
Catherine looked sternly into Eric's eyes, "What? What does he mean?"
"It's not important. The elites agreed to an alliance, they'll understand…"
"No, they will not." The keeper's holographic form appeared at Catherine's side and looked toward Eric. Eric paid no attention to the unusual look of the hologram and simply listened to his words. "A lot has happened sense we escaped the elite world, and their suspicion of you and your reclaimer teams are higher then before. From my studies of them I have determined that if you try to take this ship to Earth, they will protest. We must stick to Protocol. Remote detonation must be activated."
"Sergeant, is this about Troy?" Catherine whispered her question, as if to scold Eric with his own answer.
Eric shot back a stern glare that forced Catherine to step back, "You're asking me if I have revenge on my mind? How can I answer that and still be within the realm of my mission. So long as the elites agree with my terms, then I will do all I can to end this war in a peaceful manor with them. But if they cross us, then I will not hesitate to reactivate our primary mission."
- - - - - - - -
"This is Eagle-109 to Black Ops. Copy?" The roar of pelicans and phantoms descended from above and Roy 02 gazed upward. From high above the Ancient City he watched as the ceiling parted and waves of drop ships sped toward the battle field.
"Eagle-109, this is 02. I copy!" Roy replied with a puzzled tone. A tentacle ripped across his chest, grazing him slightly, but was still strong enough to knock him of his feet. Mathew 08 ran to his aid and cut through the green appendage with his combat knife. He grabbed Roy's collar and pulled him back as the elites ran to give them assistance. Every tentacle that was destroyed, or cut off, simply grew back at a frightening rate. The elite leapt in front of Roy and Mathew as Roy gathered his composure.
"02 I have squad of Marines here that are eager to see some action, and some heavy artillery." Juggernaut stated into the com. "Where do you want them?"
"Deploy the Marines on the opposite side of the lake along with those pretty little scorpions you have on your belly. Who's leading those Marines?"
A separate burst of static cut into the line, "I am sir. Private Wesley Williams. Me and Red Squad heard the commotion and decided to bring some support."
"Private, form a line on the opposite side of the lake. When you're green, give the word and we'll get clear."
"Roger that sir. What about the elites, there's a small squad of them behind us?"
A tentacle swung wildly toward Roy and Mathew's position, "Hold fast!" The two black ops rolled cleared but two elites weren't so fortunate. They were instantly crushed, pulverized by the blow. "Damn it! Tell the elites do not engage! This is suicide!" Roy lobbed a grenade at the two dead elites. Their body quickly began to fill with flood spores, turning yellowish green at a rapid rate. The body was no longer able to fight the infection and was quickly beginning to swell with the spores. The bodies began to convulse but the frag grenade detonated scattering the bodies into pieces and preventing the flood spores from controlling them. Mathew joined the front line with the remaining elites while Roy contacted Melanie.
"05, those spores are getting thick down here. I just saw an elite try to come back to life only three seconds after it was killed. Anything that dies over here will quickly turn into a combat form."
Melanie maintained her sprint toward the bridge as she came closer to Rose and Migpap, "Hold your own. I'll be there in a sec." Rose and Migpap were finally crossing the small bridge long after the much faster elites had arrived to fight the Gravemind. Melanie stood in front of Rose and her grunt companion.
"What are you doing here?" Melanie questioned from beneath her helmet.
"Melanie?" Rose paused but quickly stood her ground. "Looks like you could use a gun or two…"
"Get your ass back across the bridge. Red Squad is about to drop, so form up with your team and see where the Private wants you. You cross this bridge and you'll be a liability. You'll die and turn into a flood form."
"But…"
Melanie pulled out her side arm and let it rest at her side, "You will get yourself killed and then try to kill one of us. Do not second guess my orders, Warrant. Move your ass!" Rose looked at the gun and could tell that Melanie was being serious with her idle threat. If she didn't go back then she would kill her. Melanie stepped back while gazing at Rose. She then quickly turned and sprinted back toward the green haze of the battle she had just left.
Migpap looked toward the battle then back to Rose, "We not fight?"
Over her shoulder, Rose watched as the pelicans and phantoms descended on the opposite side of the lake. She had to obey orders. "We'll fight." Rose ran back across the bridge and Migpap closely followed.
The pelicans slowly hovered to the ground and Wesley wasted no time in spring out of the birds belly. He looked the area over and quickly found the best locale to deploy the troops and weaponry.
"Move it Red Squad!" Wesley roared to the marines as the jumped clear of the Pelican's loading ramp. "Gauss hogs in front, scorpions in back. Full detail, grenades and anything else we can hit the bastard with. Move! I want a solid line at the edge of the lake."
Marines exploded from the back of the three hovering pelicans. Four more pelicans descended and began to drop two scorpions and two warthogs at the lake's beach front. The heavy thud of marine gear echoed across the area as they ran to fortify the beach. Wesley was proud of what he was seeing. Red Squad was in full sprint and working hard to get ready. He turned around and looked into the Ancient City; its old stone buildings covered in flowers and foliage. It reminded him a lot of what the elite Inner Sanctum looked like before it was overrun by the flood. He then looked up as the two phantoms descended behind Red Squad's line.
He began to walk toward them when two elites and a grunt dropped from the phantom's gravity lift. Wesley quickly noticed the massive bulk of Gridolee and froze. The trio raced toward Wesley and Gridolee merely gazed at him before looking away.
Simyaldee spoke, "Excellent, you have formed a defensive line between the creature and the city. Good. I will leave Lieutenant Gridolee here to assist you and to lead our forces when they arrive. More phantoms are on the way with more artillery. I will lead my strike team into battle. If we fail to stop it, then it will be up to you."
"Wait!" Wesley snapped. "First of all, it's a bad idea going over there. We're about to bomb the hell out of that thing. Second, I refuse to work with this mindless brute." Gridolee shot back a ferocious glare at being referred to as a brute. He didn't understand the connotation that it meant he was a mindless beast and not the hated race that now served the prophets.
Simyaldee gazed at Gridolee and then returned his focus back to Wesley, "You have no obligation to obey my suggestion, but my forces will be here soon, and this Lieutenant will lead them. As for the safety of my strike team, we will be fine." Simyaldee looked to Palab and nodded his head. Palab returned the gesture and they both raced back to the Phantom as a human and grunt ran toward them.
In the grunt language Migpap barked, "Palab, sir!"
Palab sniffed the air and sensed that Migpap was young, inexperienced, by his smell, "Form up with the elites when they arrive. Keep your head low, young one, and trust in your instincts." Simyaldee didn't understand the conversation and ran on to the phantom. Palab grabbed Migpap's hands and placed them on the ground. "This feeling in your hands, in your back and your legs, this is how we move for speed. Learn how to use it." As quickly as they had met, they had parted. Palab raced on all fours to the phantom's gravity lift and jumped inside.
"What did he say?" Rose questioned. Migpap had always watched Palab move, watched him run and jump. He had never seen anything like it or imagined doing it. Since his birth he was taught to mimic the elites, the superiors, and run like them; to be civilized in their presence. But standing on all fours felt comfortable, relaxing, and almost natural.
"He say me learn." Migpap leapt forward, propelling himself with the natural jumping ability of his legs, and landed on his hands. He was fast and if felt great.
Rose watched as Migpap playfully practiced his movements and spotted Wesley speaking with Gridolee. She quickly ran toward him and overheard something disturbing.
"… I swear I'll kill you." Wesley sternly stated. "Come near me or any of my men and you'll catch a sniper round through your skull before you can gloat." Gridolee didn't reply, he simply lowered his head and looked toward Rose.
"Where is Sergeant Raynord?"
"I think… I think he's still in recovery. I'm not sure." Rose replied as she gazed at Wesley.
"Very well. I will await my troops." Gridolee walked away from Wesley as Rose came closer.
"Wesley… sir, where do you need me?" Rose questioned, ignoring Wesley's harsh tone toward the elite.
"What? You have nothing to ask about Eric?" Wesley questioned with a heavy sigh.
"No sir. I simply want to fight." Rose didn't let his tone faze her. He was jealous and angry, she was used to it by now and simply wanted to contribute to the fight.
Wesley smirked and walked away, "Go back into the city. You'll get killed out here, and I'm tired of watching over you."
Migpap waddled to Rose's side and saw that she was sulking again, "What human say?"
Rose lowered her head, "He said I was a runt."
- -- - - - - -
The door to the Ancient City opened and Kelly raced through at full speed. She had been running for the past five minutes and had made it to the battle as fast as she could. As she ran she noticed that the green hue began to grow thicker and the sound of weapons fire was growing louder.
"Black ops, this is Spartan 087. Report."
"This is 05. This damn thing won't quit. We're holding it steady as long as we can until our artillery is ready. We could use your gun, chief."
"Roger that. Siren, give me a visual cue on all friendless in the area." Blue tags appeared in Kelly's heads-up-display and she leveled her shotgun.
"Some elite's have fallen, chief. They're in flood form now, close quarters combat is recommended." Siren quickly added.
Three elites appeared in the thick green haze and whipped their arms toward Kelly frantically; gargling muffled words that only the flood could comprehend. Her added speed and sharper reflexes made dodging the tentacles simple. Kelly stutter stepped forward and placed her M90 barrel at point blank range of the closest combat form. She pulled the trigger and blow away the combat form's shoulder and head. It dropped lifeless to the ground.
"No infection forms?" Kelly muttered under her breath.
Siren cut into Kelly's com, "No, they are filled with flood spores. It is the same method that the infection forms use to infect the host."
"If it's not one thing…" Kelly turned and kicked the second combat form away from her then blew it away with her shotgun. "… it's another. Black ops form-up on me."
"Roger." Came the unanimous reply.
"Siren, lead on!" Kelly shouted. Melanie, Mathew and Roy stood at Kelly's side and took down the last of the elite combat forms, while one elite raced to their side; the Ranger that had lead the elites into battle. His armor was dented, clearly a sign of getting to close to a tentacle.
"You made it." Melanie chuckled.
"I will not die till the honored human sees my worth. Battle calls. What strategy are you planning?"
Siren opened her channel to all of them, "For now we have to find its weakness. Red Squad is ready to drop a ton of heat on this thing, but we have to make sure we know where to hit it. The Mirratord are coming? Excellent! Just a moment." A buzz filled everyone's ears as they all looked around, making sure that none of the tentacles were trying to sneak up on them.
"Lieutenant Simyaldee, do you copy?"
"I read you construct. My strike team is ready."
"Good. We'll run a Pinch Maneuver. Lieutenant, deploy your strike team in the front of this thing, the black ops will attack from behind. Ranger, use your sword and lead the charge. 02, 08, and 05 will guard the rear. Spartan 087, stick close to the Ranger."
"Roger that." Kelly pumped another shell into the M90's chamber.
"Understood." The elite Ranger stepped to the front and flexed. Extending his mandibles and arms outward in a ferocious display of aggression; waiting for the chance to face more combat. He looked down at his hand and noticed a small patch of green skin. The spores were quickly spreading throughout his system while he was breathing. He had spent too much time breathing the flood spores and he knew that he didn't have much time left.
On the opposite side of the thick cloud of spores the Mirratord descended from the Phantoms. Simyaldee stepped to the front of his ten warriors and pulled his twin blades from his belt. Palab waddled to his side, eager to finally fight at the Mirratord Second's side. He was the only Mirratord grunt to face this battle, and as he had learned from Sergeant Raynord, he was a leader. He would lead by example, and if he fought well then he would have proven that the grunts were worthy of acceptance. His elbow spikes extended and he lowered himself to all fours, staring into the unknown green cloud of spores.
A tentacle shot forward from the silhouetted image of the creature and split the Mirratord ranks. Palab jumped into the air and slashed the tentacle with his spike. Simyaldee gripped the tentacle as it landed on the ground. He squeezed it, feeling the power within it as reflexes within the tentacle caused it to violently wiggle. He dropped the squirming half of the tentacle and walked toward the green cloud. Another tentacle fired toward him, but he simply side stepped it and raised his right blade. The tentacle dropped to the ground in pieces.
Palab watched Simyaldee walk into the cloud, having no fear or hesitation. Palab then looked to the other elites at his side, and they all sprinted into the cloud behind Simyaldee.
The com channel for the Black Ops, Kelly and the elite ranger opened, "They've made their move. Go! Go! Go!" Siren stated as the ranger sprinted forward. Kelly was pacing at the elites heels as he wildly slashed through two tentacles. They were closing in on the center of the creature's body and could see dozens of smaller tentacles guarding the inner body. On the opposite side of the creature they could see the glow of multiple energy swords waving. The Mirratord were slashing at the smaller tentacles and trying to get closer to the center.
"You have come to wound me with your blades, yet you have all come to your graves. You will not find what you seek, but I shall grant you ever lasting life."
Kelly looked up and saw the mouth of the creature part. It then began to crash down upon them. Kelly kicked out at the ranger, pushing him clear as she dived backwards. The head crashed into the ground and splashed dirt and rocks across them. Kelly brushed through the dust and fought her way closer as she watched the ranger become entangled by three tentacles. She sprang forward and pulled her combat knife out. The long sharp blade cut through the tentacles and the ranger fell to his feet. He then turned and gazed at Kelly with a confused glare. His battle was over, as Kelly could see that the tentacles had crushed his mid section. The flood spores had taken over his deceased body.
The battle on the opposite side was swift as the Mirratord used grace and agility to combat the numerous tentacles. Simyaldee cautiously crept forward, letting the creature attack him with its shorter appendages. With each swing he sliced it fro trying to find the pattern to the creature's attack. Palab followed, watching the elite's back, but he clearly needed no aid. Palab was more concerned for himself, and as he should be; Simyaldee needed no aid.
Two short tentacles whipped from the right, Simyaldee ducked them and then mentally counted the recoil. The two tentacles needed two seconds to prepare for another swing, and if his timing was right Simyaldee would be long gone before they returned. He stopped in his tracks and the two tentacles flashed in front of him, had he not stopped they would have hit him.
"I see." Simyaldee thought to himself. Simyaldee widened his stance and crouched, "Palab, hold the team here. I will venture further."
"Yes sir." Palab stated as another tentacle slammed near him. He tumbled away from it and then looked to see that Simyaldee had vanished.
With the speed only years of training could produce, Simyaldee dashed toward the center of the creature's form. Each swing of the creature's tentacles was off target as Simyaldee used what he had learned to avoid the creature's attacks. Another volley of assaults came from the creature and they missed easily. Simyaldee raced on, his mind focused on the attack pattern and the position of each appendage ahead of him. After a few seconds he saw the image of a standard energy sword glowing ahead of him, and then the towering central husk of flesh that made up the Gravemind's body. Somewhere within that mound would be the creatures weakness, and instincts was telling him that it would be buried deep within its skin.
Simyaldee sprinted around the body, looking for an opening, but he also noticed that the other energy blade was also running around toward him. Splitting his attention between the sword and the Gravemind's body, he realized that the blade was held low and steady. Whoever the elite carrying it was, he was well trained. Through the thick green haze the figure finally cleared and Simyaldee was taken back when he realized that the one carrying the energy sword was not an elite.
"Demon!" He muttered, loosing his focus for a second and was nearly clipped by a tentacle. He rolled forward, cart wheeling over the tentacle and letting his twin blades pinch into the sneaky appendage. He stood and turned his attention to the Spartan at his side.
Kelly never took her head off of the creature's body, watching for tentacles with every step she made, "Keep moving! There has to be an opening!"
Simyaldee had heard that the human's Demon was skilled beyond normal combat. Word throughout the fleet was that one Demon could kill a platoon of elites. A rumor, he knew, but none the less the human was skilled at combat. Even in all his years of service to the high council and that countless secret missions, he had never felt such poise from another being before. In the face of such odds as dealing with the monstrous creature, most would tremble, but the demon was calm and always thinking. Simyaldee nearly chuckled at the thought that the demon was somewhat like him. He had seen this demon several times in the past few hours, but this was the first time he'd ever seen the demon in battle...
…and the feeling excited him.
"The pattern…" Simyaldee began, but Kelly quickly cut him off.
"… two up, two down, then one middle and behind." Kelly's response was precise. It was exactly the pattern he had remembered. "But it varies by position. From the side he alters with one up, two up, then behind." Simyaldee had yet to see that. The demon's vision was sharper then his. Simyaldee ducked a tentacle and saw it clearly; she was right about the pattern. He rolled clear and sat up to his knees and in front of him he saw what he was looking for. He sprang forward, his twin blades tightly gripped in his hands. But the creature quickly began to cover-up; shielding the unprotected exposure of its base. The Gravemind began to pull in its tentacles to guard the area, but Kelly quickly sliced them in half with the energy sword.
"Go!" Kelly shouted as she spun with the blade in hand. Simyaldee saw her speed and nearly gasped, but he blocked out everything and focused on the opening. He dived through and sliced the wide central base of the creature.
Simyaldee stabbed inward and began to rip away the outer flesh as Kelly cut away the tentacles that attacked him from behind.
"Palab, move in! Move in now!" Simyaldee roared into his com.
The grunt king heard the call of the Second and turned to the elite Mirratord, "Move in!" They all ran toward the base, jumping over hunks of fallen tentacles and stepping in puddles of green blood. The creature was screaming in pain as Simyaldee tore into its base.
The Mirratord arrived at the base and watched as the human methodically cut away the rushing tentacles with the energy sword, while Simyaldee sliced his way deeper into the base. Palab raced ahead, outpacing the other Mirratord and jumped into the air. He soared over Kelly's head and shocked her, but she never lost her focus, and then landed at Simyaldee's side. With his sharp claws he began to slash into the Gravemind with fury while Simyaldee continued to stab the creature with his blade.
Unsure as to what he impaled, Simyaldee felt the creature loose strength. It crumbled upon itself and thick green blood began to pour from the wound. But he didn't let that slow his slaughter. Simyaldee continued to stab the creature, while Palab dug deeper into it. They didn't know what they were looking for, but they had to find something that proved it was dead.
Kelly watched the carnage as green blood splattered her armor and chunks of green flesh fell at her feet. The tentacles had stopped moving, and lay motionless at that ground. Beside her stood eight elites, and they were also covered in the Gravemind's blood.
Kelly opened a wide channel, "Black Ops flank the creature from my position but stay clear of the area. Red squad prepare to fire."
"Roger." They replied.
Simyaldee cut upward, wanting to make the hole bigger and he saw the human form at its center, "Palab, grenade it." Simyaldee ordered as he stepped away from the mesh of blood and flesh. Palab prepped a plasma grenade and jammed it into the creature's core. It fused to the unidentifiable human form and swelled a brilliant blue. Palab jumped back as it exploded and split the base in half. But they new they weren't done.
Simyaldee turned to Kelly, "Human, tell the others to destroy what is left."
"Already taken care of." The group trotted clear of the lifeless creature, and once Kelly felt they were far enough away she contacted Wesley. "Red Squad, fire at will!"
Wesley turned to the small squad and stood at his gauss cannon, "Fire!" The puff of two Scorpions echoed across the way, creating a ripple in the lake. The shells hummed as they streaked over Kelly's head and into fading green cloud. More scorpion shells exploded on the target sending dust and fragments sailing into the air. Gauss rounds spat across the terrain and singed anything it hit, melting away the Gravemind's body with superheated plasma. The sound of the artillery carried across the Ancient City and echoed off of the towers, telling everyone that defense of the city was in full swing.
Gridolee turned to his troops and instantly realized that it was time. He waved his hand forward and eight wraith tanks began to spew their mighty tonnage of plasma onto the area where the Gravemind once proudly stood. The mighty balls of plasma soared perfectly and dropped upon the area with pinpoint precision. The superheated balls melted away everything it hit and also devoured the air around it when it exploded. The heat residue of the plasma explosion incinerated the cloud of flood spores as one by one the exploded in the area. Combined with the human weapons, the Gravemind's body quickly began to vanish into a thick black region of charred earth.
Indeed, nothing could survive.
Kelly watched the smoldering husk as it slowly began to be reduced to nothing and she thought of what had happened to black op 13. Something was nagging at her about this transformation.
Kelly mumbled to herself, "Mercy said it was based on the soldier gene, and the infection can't be stopped. But I didn't change?" Kelly found it odd that she had been directly touched by the flood infection form just like black op 13, but instead of mutating into a Gravemind she retained her identity. "Doctor." Kelly stated as she contacted Doctor Halsey's com line.
"Go ahead Kelly." Catherine replied over the com.
"If the Gravemind strand is based on the soldier gene, then why didn't I change into a Gravemind, like 13?"
There was a brief moment of silence, "… I'll be damned." Catherine chuckled. "It can't be that easy."
- - - - - - - -
Kelly's Surgery
Elite Inner Sanctum
03:00 October 26, 2552
Dorenth
Kelly was dieing and no matter how hard she fought, it was slowly killing her. Her heart had stopped twice according to the bio monitor. Kelly was slipping in and out of consciousness while the small infection form struggled to maintain control over Kelly's irradiated body. Boren's Syndrome was the only thing keeping the small infection form from turning Kelly into a monster ready to kill anything that came near it. Her body was filled with radiation and the chemicals used to counter the radiation's affects.
Catherine gripped Kelly's hand and squeezed it tightly. She didn't want to interfere with the process, hoping that Kelly's unique condition would be enough to stave off the infection. Try as it might, the little infection form was pumping spores directly into Kelly's system, but was unable to maintain control. With one last push the infection for tumbled over, dieing from the struggle. But Kelly wasn't waking up.
"Doctor, she's flat-lined again!" The medic shouted as he nervously looked into the monitor. "And Brainwave activity is still low… God, it's falling. I think we're loosing her!"
"The infection form is dead, but I'm not sure if this is a natural reaction. I don't know if we should risk reviving her."
"Wait!" The second medic added. "Heart rate is back, slow, but none the less she's back. But look at this." Catherine looked at the brainwave monitor with a puzzled expression.
"Her brainwave activity is still dropping. She's gone below coma level. Her body is stabilizing, but her mind is slipping. This can't be right." Catherine was worried because anything below coma level was considered brain dead.
"Doctor, her white blood count has bottomed out. Her immune system is shutting down!"
"Damn it. It's like a disease, but it's healing the body and not the mind." Catherine looked to the medic's medical kit and saw a neural stimulator. "Charge that stimulator."
The medic looked down at his bag and grabbed the small U shaped device, "Yes Doctor."
"And prep an Epinephrine shot. Her body can't live without the mind." A small screen on the neural stimulator flashed green, meaning it was charged. He handed it to Catherine and she placed it on Kelly's forehead, squeezing it tightly upon her temples. "Inject the Epinephrine into her system. That should sharpen her senses, while the stimulator brings her back." Catherine pressed the green flashing screen and several stimulating pulses of electricity gently shot into Kelly's head. The neural stimulator was a mild stimulus to the brain using electric voltage on a certain frequency. Most medics used them to keep a head wound patient awake, otherwise the brain could die. Catherine knew this was a tough risk, but she had to try something.
"Doctor, brainwave activity is rising!" The medic happily shouted. "Heart rate stabilizing. She's pulling out of it."
Catherine exhaled and pulled the stimulator off of Kelly's head. She handed it to the medic and leaned over her; gazing into Kelly's closed eyes. Kelly was sweating, and Catherine walked away from the operating table and grabbed a small cloth nearby. The medics began to remove the IV's as Catherine whipped her brow.
- - - - - - - -
"Private Williams do you copy?" Kelly shouted into her com.
"I'm here chief!" Wesley yelled over the constant firing of the tanks and gauss cannons.
"Listen, I need a medic out here, but only if they have Epinephrine in their kit! Do you copy? I need them here now and with several injections!"
"On it ma'am!" Wesley jumped from the hog and ran to the second line, where most of the medics were awaiting to aid the injured. "Does either of you have Epinephrine in your Med-kit?"
"Adrenaline?" A young female medic questioned. "Yes sir, most of us."
"Good, gather as many as you can, take a hog and get across that bridge. Head for the Spartan's location. Double time."
"On it sir." The young woman replied. Wesley was unaware that Rose and Migpap were standing just within earshot and heard the conversation.
Rose darted out to meet the medic, "Come on! I have a warthog ready." She lied, but the medics didn't need to know. They all raced to the frontline of hogs and Rose jumped into the driver's seat, the medic sat in the passenger seat while two others jumped into the back with Migpap. Rose shifted into reverse and pulled away from the line, she then made a direct line for the bridge.
Wesley pulled up his scope and gazed at the area where the Spartan was standing. He didn't see what the problem was and then gazed at the Gravemind site. He waved for the troops to cease fire, and the shells finally stopped. Soon after, Gridolee's squad of wraiths also ceased firing and it became deathly silent. He turned to Gridolee and with an uncomfortable silence he walked toward him.
"We need to check the site, make sure that nothing is left." Wesley stated with a scowl.
"I'll take two tanks and half my squad. I would also like to see if the Second needs my assistance." Gridolee waved for two wraiths and then quickly hoped on the side as they slowly hovered toward the bridge. Wesley sighed. He hated talking to that elite, and with good reason, but he also hated having to work with him. He lifted his scope and saw that the warthog had arrived and the medics were running around to everyone, including the elites. He then noticed that Rose and the grunt were getting out of the jeep.
"Son of a bitch." He cursed in an annoyed tone.
The medic raced to Kelly's side and Kelly pointed down to the elites and the black ops.
"What the hell?" The medic cursed. "You want us to inject them all?"
"Doctor, the medic is here." Kelly stated into her com.
"Good, tell the medic to inject the Epinephrine directly into the blood stream. I don't know how straight adrenaline will work with elite's blood system, but it's the only thing I know that will counter any affects of the Gravemind Strand. Tell them that a small dosage should be enough for everyone."
Kelly repeated the order and the medic followed through. They started with the Black Ops and then the elites. The Mirratord all became somewhat dizzy for a moment, but slowly began to blink as their functions returned to normal. They then injected Palab, he had no adverse affect.
Kelly nodded to the elites and then turned to the scorched earth behind her, "Adrenaline?"
"I wish I could explain it." Catherine replied. "It seems so easy that it's almost laughable. It simply boosts this systems response to stress, classic fight-or-flight syndromes. The body naturally produces this stimulus when needed, but I noticed that your blood was devoid of any adrenaline when you were infected. I based the cure on a small mixture of Epinephrine, but I had no idea about the Gravemind strand. I assume the soldier gene regenerates the flood DNA at the nuclear level, so even the cure wouldn't be affective. I see now. The soldier gene is much stronger and requires a substantial dose of adrenaline. I can't believe it's this simple."
Kelly knelt over the crater that was once the Gravemind as the black ops walked to her side, "If it isn't dead, at least we now know how to kill it."
"I doubt there's enough Epinephrine in the UNSC to kill one of those things; at least not a full size one." Catherine replied. " Keep an eye on everyone. I will need to do a thorough inspection to be sure they are clean. I'll see you soon." The channel died and Kelly looked up to Melanie and the black ops.
"Are you three okay?"
"Yes sir." Melanie replied. "We took down that ranger, sorry we had to abandon you like that."
"That's fine. If he had gotten away he would have changed into a carrier form and we'd be knee deep in combat forms by now. You did good. The doc wants us all to lay low until she can give you a thorough exam. We can't take any risks of another Gravemind sprouting out." The group nodded, understanding what needed to be done. Kelly stood and looked at the energy sword hilt she held tightly in her hands. She slipped it into her waist pack and looked toward the group standing near Simyaldee. She walked closer the group and told them the same information. The Mirratord agreed.
Palab waddled closer to Migpap and in their native language, "What is your name, young one?"
"Migpap sir. Pack 301-B-7."
"That means you didn't serve on High Charity under Doz Yammaeda?"
"No sir. I'm from the southern outpost on Dorenth. I was born there."
"Who was your elite commander?"
"I don't have one, Sir. I was just introduced into the ranks when the Brutes attacked Dorenth. I fell in line with the other grunts when they were called to take up arms. But in Jogrennilee, when I heard your call, I knew I had to have a place at your side. I have tried many times to speak with you, but you have always been so busy with preparations. I wish to protect my King. I will die for you sir, if you will have my gun and grenades."
Palab was taken back by the young grunts words. He had yet to experience the cruelty of elite military aggression, and was still very open to suggestion. Palab knew that many grunts felt the way Migpap did, but they were still torn between understanding their elite training and the natural path that Palab preached.
"I'm not what you think I am." Palab returned. "You call me your King but I'm simply a soldier that has been…"
"No, Palab. You are not. I have seen you, heard you and been inspired by you. I remember your pain when your pack brother died. Those who have followed you told me how Etah always stood by your side. He was the last of your pack brothers… and I am the last of mine." Like a hot knife, Migpap's words drove deep into Palab's heart. It had been many days since he had rested and offered up a prayer to his older brother Etah, and he was slowly beginning to remember him.
"Come. Let's go and talk more." Palab waddled away from the group and Migpap followed closely behind. "We will meet the others in the city." Rose watched as the two grunts walked away from them and she was glad that Migpap was able to do what he wanted. But Rose quickly realized that she was about to come face to face with the one thing she feared most.
Melanie popped the seal on her helmet and walked closer to Rose. Roy, Mathew and Kelly were close behind. Rose held her ground and stepped toward Melanie, but Melanie walked passed her and jumped into the hog's passenger seat. Roy, Mathew and Kelly jumped into the back. Rose thought that Melanie was going to say something and was relieved that she passed her without a confrontation.
"Mind giving us a ride, babe? We're dog tired." Melanie pulled her flask from her waist pouch and took a hit of the whisky. She passed it to Roy and Mathew and they happily took sips before handing it back to Melanie. Kelly, with her helmet still on, waved off the offer for alcohol.
"Yes sir." Rose exhaled. She jumped into the warthog and started it up, just as Gridolee's two wraith tanks came into the area. Gridolee leapt from the side of the tank and waved the squad on.
"Scan the area and destroy anything that is left of the creature. Build a fire and burn whatever is found. I want this area contained until we can clearly say that the creature is dead." Gridolee then walked toward Simyaldee and the other Mirratord. "Second, are you alright?"
"Yes, young one. My head is still foggy, but I feel fine. Have you started to quarantine the area?"
"Yes. No stone will go unturned until we are sure that the creature is gone and nothing remains. I will also send a squad to examine the foyer entry way."
"Excellent. We are headed to the city to be examined. Report to me when everything is complete." Simyaldee and the eight Mirratord warriors that had fought at his side began to walk quietly back toward the city.
"Of course, Sir." Gridolee felt relieved that Simyaldee trusted him enough to leave him in command and he was determined not to fail the Second's good favor.
- - - - - - - -
"Well it appears that the human reclaimer was not need after all, but still, it will be necessary for him to be awake when we begin to journey to Earth." The keeper chuckled. "I can not wait to arrive near the Ark and begin cleaning up this mess that you have all made."
Siren exhaled at the news that the was dead and then turned to face the digital presence of the Keeper, "We still need to convince the elites that going to the Earth is their best option."
"Yes, but there is no worry. The reclaimer, Eric Raynord, will stick to protocol. He hates species 005, and will not let them stop him from completing his goal. He will stick to protocol."
- - - - - - - -
The Sacred Hall of the Seed ship, now the command deck, was bustling with activity as they all struggled to understand why the fleet had docked with the Seed ship. High elder Vornaldea looked toward commander Timnaldee and the human Captain and waited for them to do something, but they seemed more determined to speak with each other and not the AI.
Timnaldee folded his arms across his chest, "Then what makes you think that it will listen?"
Captain Monroe sighed, "I don't. That's why it will be risky. If she has gone rampant then all we can do is try to purge the system, hopefully the Keeper can assist with that. But truthfully, I know nothing about Forerunner AI's. He may be too old to compete with Siren's abilities."
The Keeper quickly appeared inside the Sacred Hall as he did when he appeared before Catherine and Vornaldea; a monstrously large hologram of his upper torso. All of the elites on the bridge were shocked and somewhat terrified of the image and collectively gasped at its appearance.
"Too old?" The Keeper scuffed. "My systems are self repairing and self correcting. I am only as old as my latest update." The image quickly shrunk in size until the hologram was standing at Captain Monroe's side. "Now, what it is that you need of me?"
Monroe stepped forward, "I need you to help us with Siren."
"Oh, I repaired her systems a long time ago, well relatively speaking of course. She is working quite well now, and has been most useful in helping deal with the Gravemind."
Siren's holographic presence appeared at the Keeper's side, her long blonde hair and white gown flowing in a wind that didn't exist, "Captain." She softly stated.
Monroe scuffed, "Captain? You haven't obeyed an order I've given in the past four hours. I don't think you have the right to call me Captain."
"Forgive me ma'am, but I had to act. Otherwise many of you would have died."
"That's beyond mentioning at this juncture." Monroe huffed as she folded her arms across her chest. "Release the elite fleet and remove yourself from the seed ship's mainframe. Give the elites their ships back."
The Keeper then interrupted, "That would be unwise. This ship is capable of speeds much faster then your fleet. When we jump into slip space they will be left behind."
Vornaldea quickly stepped into the conversation, "Slip space jump, to where?"
"To Earth of course." The monitor happily stated.
Siren justly stepped in, "What he means is that the ship would be safer near Earth and the Ark."
"According to you, Captain Monroe, Earth is being overrun by the flood and the Covenant." Timnaldee added. "Why would we be safer there?"
"We must stick to protocol." The keeper simply stated. "The flood threat is spreading beyond control. The Ark is set and ready to remotely activate the Installations."
"And the Ark is located on the Humans' home planet?" Timnaldee questioned to the Keeper.
"Currently, I am not sure. I have the stellar beacon coordinates, and that puts the Ark very close the reclaimer home planet."
Vornaldea stepped closer to the small group, "According the Arbiter, the Halo's are weapons capable of destroying all life. Why would we do this? This would be playing into the prophet's hands."
"Indeed, this is why it is most imperative that we go." The Keeper sternly added. Siren was silent and nervous at the events that were about to transpire. She softly gazed at the command deck door as if waiting for someone to enter.
The Keeper continued, "We must remove any threat from the Ark. Protocols demand that only the reclaimers must be present when the remote sequence is initiated."
"We are not going to Earth, we are not firing the Halo's, and we are not risking the lives of our race." Vornaldea sternly stated.
The command deck door parted, and Eric walked onto the bridge in his full gear, minus his helmet. All eyes turned to him as the elites recognized the honored human. He slowly crossed the deck and approached the group as Siren smiled at him nervously.
"Oh, reclaimer, how wonderful of you to join us." The Keeper cheered. "Please inform everyone that we must stick to protocols."
Eric looked to Vornaldea, assured that he was the one he needed to address, "Elder. I know it seems awkward, but he is correct; in part. We must go to the Sol system."
"You have taken our world, our home, and now you wish to threaten the lives of our females and young?" Vornaldea stated, gazing down at Eric.
"I understand your concern, but if the flood are not stopped…"
"No." Vornaldea stated as he turned his back to Eric. "Helm, prepare to take us out of here. We'll head to the grunt home world and …" A click rang across the bridge as Eric tripped the safety on his Magnum.
"Sergeant!" Monroe shouted as she looked at Eric in disbelief. At Eric's side was his Magnum side arm, resting comfortably as he gazed at Vornaldea's back.
"Siren, take us to Mars." Eric sternly ordered. "I can't guarantee the safety of your civilians, elder, but I can assure you that I am not going to sit back and do nothing. This ship is capable of repairing a fleet of nearly four hundred ships, and we need that sort of strength to win this battle."
"Human… you dare threaten me?" Vornaldea growled. Everyone paid close attention that Vornaldea said nothing more. He simply gripped his energy sword's hilt and held it firmly in his hand.
"They gave me explicit instructions, believing that whatever we found would be useful. This ship hasn't any form of weapons, but that repair bay is good enough. Now, you help us, or I will take this ship by force."
Siren softly mumbled, "Entering Slip space." Vornaldea looked up to his helm officers, and they nodded, agreeing that they had indeed entered slip space. "ETA to Martian orbit, twenty seven hours. Sol Relative Time minus two days."
Vornaldea looked to Timnaldee, noticing that the Supreme Commander had his energy sword ready, as well as the honor guards.
"Sergeant Raynord, we don't stand a chance trying to take this ship by force!" Monroe screamed as she jumped between Eric and Vornaldea. "What are you thinking?"
The Keeper smiled happily, "Excellent. The reclaimer is most efficient. However, this boldness was most unexpected."
"I'm thinking about the survival of my race, as well as he is." Eric scuffed. "We have something here that can help our military rebuild its defenses, yet he is only concerned with his own race…"
Timnaldee roared, "Enough of this! I understand both sides, and what both of you are saying is the same; the need for us to protect our kin." Timnaldee reattached his energy sword's hilt to his side mount, and walked closer to Eric and Monroe. "We can not stop the constructs from moving the ship. Fighting them would be pointless. And the honored human is as stubborn as any of us. However, I agree, we must not jeopardize the safety of our kin." Timnaldee looked to Vornaldea and released a heavy sigh, while Vornaldea looked on in confusion. "Sergeant Raynord, if we do this, my fleet will not be able to assist you in your battle. I will guard this ship and if any Covenant or flood infested ships come within range… we will leave immediately."
Vornaldea scuffed, "Commander, are you certain of this?"
"High elder, you protect the civilians and I will protect this ship. The humans did save all of our lives this day, we owe them at least a safe harbor to make repairs to their fleet."
"Thank god." Monroe vented. She then sternly gazed at Eric. "Sergeant, a word." They walked off the command deck and into the neighboring room.
"At no point did I authorize you to proceed with this stage of the mission." Monroe fumed. "My orders were to gain access, and support. Not overthrow."
"You hate them just as much as I do, Captain." Eric mumbled. "Who gives a damn about their civilians when they didn't give ours any consideration? Do you remember the things we've seen; the camps, the pits, the feedings? And now, we're supposed to pretend that none of that happened?" Eric paced around the room in an angry rage, while Monroe simply agreed to what he was saying.
"But we aren't like them, Eric. And things are different now. The Admirals have agreed to an alliance…"
"What the hell do they know? They've been sitting in the Hive fighting a war through video displays and moving troops like game pieces on a chess board. Most the admiralty never experienced this war first hand! No, this war is going to be won by people like you, me, the Black Ops and the Spartans. We've gone through too much, seen too much to back down now."
Siren's image phased into view at Eric's side, "Captain, may I speak with him." Monroe nodded, but Siren gazed at her shyly. "In private, ma'am." Monroe curiously gazed at Siren then looked at Eric.
"We aren't done yet, 19." Captain Monroe turned and began to walk from the room. "I'm going to go apologize on your behalf, I recommend you do the same."
"They don't respect weakness, Captain."
"Weakness isn't my game, compassion is." Monroe walked from the room as the door closed behind her. Eric staggered forward, calming himself and not looking at Siren's image.
"Is everything alright in the city?" Eric questioned.
"Mel handled everything, and the Chief is with her. Everything is fine…"
Eric laughed, "Don't let 05 hear you call her that. It won't go over very well." He pulled his side arm out and reset the safety. He then turned and finally looked at Siren, but what he saw made him step back in shock. "What the hell…"
Standing in ODST fatigues and wearing a regulation hair cut, Siren's image had changed and she now appeared as she did before she died, "There's something we need to talk about."
To be continued…