Chapter Eleven

Jerusalem, Earth

0712 Hour, November 17,2552 (Military Calendar)/

The pelican rolled and accelerated heading straight for the planet gaining vaporous flames along the sides. The Spartans jostled around as the drop ship encounter another air pocket.

Malcolm strained his eyes, to the top of the building, his thoughts going in every direction. Plasma fire spurted out of the turrets that were fixed onto of the buildings. The plasma fire began to eat away layers of metal. Sunlight poured through the holes that were appearing increasingly. The marines began to sweat, their eyes look in every direction, fear clawed at them.

"We are going to die!" screamed a marine that was thrashing in his harness. Spartan-034 Lance moved and grabbed the marine by his neck and pining him down in his harness.

"Shut up, we are going to make it just maybe without you," the marine quickly stopped thrashing and stared at Lance wondering if he really would kill him.

"Human, it has come to my attention that brute controlled ship has made it past our defenses and is holding position above one of your cities." Said Serzxee, using one of the human COM channels. The elite councilor sat in the command seat of the capital ship, while Uyamagad stood giving commands to the crew.

" I see, we need to take it out, or else it could do the same as New Mombasa and jump into slipstream and destroy the city," said Admrial Parker. His face now had beads of rolling sweat, as he tried to the keep the Regin of Power in one piece.

"I can send another pelican to the surface to send a nuke under the grav lift.," responed the admrial.

"No, that won't be nessary, I will send down a squad of my special ops to take the ship out. Through your troops will have to clear a landing zone near the base of the grav lift." Serzxee studied the human's voice for changes due to stress.

"Will due over and out." The com link snapped off , the admiral opened a link to Spartan-511.

"Spartans come in do you read me?"

"Yes, Admiral Parker what can I do for you?" Came the voice of the Squad leader Roy.

"Your original mission has been scrubbed, you are not going to meet with Commander Fort instead you are to clear an LZ at this location." The amiral turned off the Comm and readied the ship as two plasma torpedos headed their way towards the ship.

"You heard him, is that understood?" asked Roy looking at the spartans and the marines. They nodded in acknowledge and stared back at the floor.

Flames engulfed one of the three pelicans. Malcom swirved the controll causing the pelican to roll unplanned. The spartan jerked forward against the harness that held them in place.

Malcom tried to pull up the pelican but it was too late, the ground met the belly of the pelican and threw Malcom unconicous.

The pilot shook his head and slowly got to his feet, blood slowly rolled down his face from the corners of his mouth. He stumbled unsure what to do and then decided to check on the passengers in the troopbay.

The spartans sat motionessely their luminous green ceramic plates, the polorazied visors. They gave Malcom the creeps, but he was greatful for them"

"Shit, I killed the spartans!" He moved to a spartan and shook him to see if he awaken the spartan. The spartan slowly glanced up and shook its head and looked around. Malcom sighed in relief and sat down taking in the sight of the troops.

Roy aroused and shook the bluriness out of his vision and glanced around the compartment. He glanced at his HUD and checked his squad's health stats.

He moved around and awoke the other Spartans. Lance and Seth both gradually arose and gathered their weapons.

"How many survived," asked he pilot Malcolm.

"Eight are dead and seven are alive including the Spartans," responded Roy.

"The other pelican crashed towards the west of our location," informed Malcolm as he served first aid to the awaking marines.

"Alright, grab your gear and lets head towards that direction you've got five minutes and then we are gone, understood."

"Yes sir!" Rang the remains of the squad. Lance and Seth both smiled to themselves, even though no one can see them.