Continuing from Ch. 16.
Chapter 17, "The Deciding Battle: Part 1".
We were staring at the Fleet Capitol Ship Manifest Destiny.
"It's actually here! And intact from those Flood!" I unconsciously said as we began the run for it. If we could commandeer that ship, we could take it back to Halo and pick up the survivors. "When we get down there, there's a couple of people I wanna pick up. Got it?" Johnson asked, in an orderly form. "Of course, but that depends on if we get there…" I replied, drifting off as I wondered what awaited us on the ship, and on Halo. We neared the port opening that would allow us access to the ship, and found it burnt shut as well. "Blast the Brutes!" the Commander wailed. I looked upon the hasty and generally sloppy work. "No, not Brutes. Jackals or Drones didn't do this either. That leaves one opponent…" I informed them wearily, knowing what was probably standing right behind that door. "I'll take a squad in, Chief. Just give me the order." Lieutenant Potter volunteered. "Negative, lieutenant. Commander, I'll take in a force and reconnoiter the area and then give the signal when it's clear." I replied to both. "Given that we have advanced shielding, we should be able to fair better." I finished as I began firing at the weak door.
It only took a few minutes for us to …override the locks. We burst in, and got our just desserts; a swarm of Combat Forms launched into the air, intent on spilling our blood. "Align fire on point targets! Finish the rear with grenades, and flank any survivors!" I ordered, and charged. I was forced forward when an unseen Carrier Form detonated behind me. My worst nightmare befell me as a result; an Infection Form began burying its tentacles into my back. Its numerous projections could easily override the autonomous actions of my structure, if it could locate my nervous vector, and would take me. I couldn't reach around, and I was forced to become what I truly was; my body literally burst into hundreds of worm-like creatures, my essence essentially gone for the moment (no pun intended). "What in god's name was that?" Johnson wailed, killing an Elite Combat Form. It would take several hours to properly re-manifest myself into the Hunter Form. Another setback in an already bad situation.
It was effectively night on the High Charity as it passed into the shadow of Threshold. Prime hours for the Flood to muster their forces for another assault. I still had to reform my left arm, as well. Another half hour to give the beasts. "Sergeant, I want you to take a strike force deeper into the ship. If at all possible, locate the Command Center. It'll be towards the inside of the ship." I informed him, knowing that humans had their control areas nestled right at the prow. "High Commander, what's our move after we clear the system?" I asked our leader, who'd remained particularly silent. And silent he remained, giving only a hand signal towards…the aft section? Perhaps the engines? Odd…I wouldn't question it, though. He led me, the Commander, and several other Elites and Marines away from the area. I was completing my reconstruction when we were attacked by Brutes.
The High Commander sprung into action; into the air, almost like…NO. I dismissed the thought immediately. He had been with us since the landing on Halo. Prior to that…but, he had spoken to us, led us against them. It couldn't have been a ploy. …If the Gravemind could manipulate hosts to its will, then it was ultimately true. And I knew what I would be expected to do. Before I could act, however, he turned on us. He plunged his sword into the Commander, killing him immediately. Infuriated, I punched him into the wall, and leveled my cannon at his face – its face. "None shall fall to the Parasite under my watch again." I angrily shouted, and fired. Green gore and liquefied brain sprayed the walls. My deed done, I wondered if anything had happened to the others. Two Marines lay dead, as well as the Elites. I felt responsible somehow as I backtracked to the group.
"Klez! We found the Control Room, and we're keeping our new friends out until you get here! Get down here double-time!" Johnson called over the COM. The lights dimmed, and went out. Excellent. This was actually an edge; our home world was pitch-black, and we developed incredible night vision. I couldn't say the same for the humans, though; they have terrible sight in the dark, with exception to the Demon – SPARTAN, he was known as. I navigated the tight hallways and catacombs of the ship. I was proceeding well, but at this rate, I would be too late to do anything. I started a brisk sprint; the human rate of running. I didn't bother to let doors open, and plowed through towards my objective.
The muffled sound of gunfire resonating through the hall told me I'd made it in time to save whoever was left. Surprisingly, the Humans had held their own up to this point. The elongated Command Center denoted the technicality of the Cruiser; a pain in the neck. We didn't have the personnel, or an A.I., to take on the numerous processes affiliated here. "Lt. Potter! Ready all personnel to man priority stations. Minor," I motioned to one of the lesser ranking Elites, "You have experience with piloting these, so you're the Temporary Shipmaster." I informed him, beating down a Combat form and spinning to take down a Jackal. "Yes, Major!" he replied enthusiastically. Everyone jumped to their stations, and we prepped the ship for departure.
A Loyalist battle group awaited us.
I will continue soon in Pt. 2!