Chapter VIII: Escape
While the ODST's and Spartan 125 focused with the flood, the Chief avoided yet another blow of the Guardian, the chief wasted no time and fired a BFG charge upon him but the demon didn't even flinch.
´´ O ,you got to be kidding me ´´- Cortana said to the chief -´´ Nothing can withstand this kind of firepower ´´.
´´ Apparently he can ´´- The chief finished as the guardian swung his massive arm to hit the Spartan. The chief easily avoided it and finally discovered something.
´´ He's blind ´´- The chief said.
´´ What , wait ´´- Cortana said -´´You're right, his moves are sluggish ,why didn't I detected this before ´´.
´´ Is this place, It plays with us, but not anymore ´´- The chief said and fired a level 3 charge upon him , a level 4 charge could incinerate his team as well. The guardian ,once again, came out with no damage however he stumbled back. The two elites came out of who knows were and with plasma swords began their ravage on the temporarily stunned demon.
´´ Chief ´´- 125 yelled - ´´We're running out of ammo and the flood is not stopping to appear, argh… ´´- An infection form found his way to his neck and began the painful process of transformation. 125 as well as the rest of the marines ,grunts and the jackal were down as well. The chief quickly ran to remove the forms from their necks ,but the guardian slammed him back. The chief's vision became blurry for a few moments and when he regained it he saw the guardian punching an elite ,breaking every bone in the elite's body.
The second elite let out a war growl and run towards the guardian, only to be crushed by his massive leg. In the end, only the chief remained with a fighting chance.
´´ Were screwed ´´- Cortana said as the chief opted for a different strategy. The chief quickly regained composure before the infection forms swarmed him and ran full speed towards the guardian.
´´ Are you crazy ´´- Cortana yelled from the inside of the helmet.
´´ No ´´- The chief said -´´Just changing strategy ´´- The guardian intended to crush him as he did with the elite, however the Spartan sidestepped and ran towards the cube, the guardian instantly turned and swung his arm to slam the chief.
´´ That's it ´´- The chief remained still ignoring the yells of Cortana that he was about to be slammed , the guardian indeed slammed him back, however that's what the chief wanted as the demon had just helped him reach the cube.
´´ And now…´´- Before the badly bruised Spartan could even aim his new weapon, the soul cube lunged towards his victim, the guardian's skull was shattered by the deadly cube and every flood in the room vanished instantly.
´´ The strategy was to get a bigger weapon… ´´- The chief thought , however he fall to his knees, the last hit of the Guardian had taken his toll , internal bleedings and a broken spine had finally done what no Covenant could accomplish, kill him…
´´ Chief…´´- A far away voice called upon him…
´´ Chief wake up…´´
The Spartan tried to stand up and open his eyes ,but failed miserably…
A white light filled his darkened vision as he felt every last of his wounds heal instantly, the chief opened his eyes and witnessed as the soul cube cured him, as well as every human and covenant in the mausoleum.
´´ Finally ´´- Cortana said -´´That thing cured you a few minutes ago you crybaby ´´.- Cortana teased, but failed to hide her relief to see John alive and well.
´´ Good to see you fine as well Cortana ´´- The chief said. The chief turned his attention towards the cube as one by one it cured the infected marines and covenant, even healed the dying elite. Everyone cured, the soul cube floated towards the chief.
´´ You have saved us from our imprisonment ´´- The soul cube beamed trough the entire mausoleum, not very loud but enough so that everyone could hear. -´´ We have waited countless centuries until one of your kind freed us to finally accomplish our task.´´
´´ It's talking ´´- Cortana mused -´´Is that an AI or something ?´´- She asked to no one in particular as neither one knew.
´´ Your task, what is it? ´´- The chief asked still lost in just what the cube was talking about.
´´ Centuries ago, the gateway to hell was reopened by your species, the demons sought to escape the red planet and expand their reign trough the stars, however one of your species aid us in sealing the gateway, we remained in hell to ensure that no demon ever crossed the two realms but we didn't count that the servants of darkness would create another way for them to be free…´´- At this point not just the chief, but the ODST's and covenant were listening to the soul cube, apparently the cube also translated so that the elites could understand.
´´ A Cube, similar to the one we build to confront the demons was conceived by them, different to our souls that were infused to the soul cube, their cube was forged with the blood of thousands of their legions, the cube sealed us again in the deepest of hell once again and transported itself to your world.´´
´´ Excuse me, did it say that the soul cube contains the souls of their people´´- Cortana said in disbelief. -´´ Talk about drastic measures´´.
´´ The cube itself could only be opened in this realm to enable the gateway to open once again, and now it has finally been opened ´´.
´´ How do we stop it ´´- The chief said.
´´ We must reach the cube in your realm and destroy it, but be warned ,the demons will do everything in their power to stop us, you must forget the difference within your people and join as one to succeed ´´. – The chief understood what it meant, the humans and covenant would need to unite to accomplish the task. The elites also seemed to understand and barked something only the grunts could understand.
´´ Elite masters say that we will fight alongside humans for time being, saying that they will not let demons that were defeated by our gods to threaten our great design´´. – The grunt said, the chief acknowledged , they still were religious fanatics but at least they understood the threat these demons represented.
´´ Not to burst anyone's bubble but, how will we get out of Hell´´- Cortana said and before anyone spoke the soul cube opened a light pillar.
´´ This light will lead us to your realm, we must hurry´´- Everyone walked towards the light and the sickening sensation filled their mind, once they reappeared some ODST's once again puked. The elites said something the chief could only guess was an insult to the humans.
´´ Scanning, o thank god ´´- Cortana said inside the chiefs helmet -´´ I'm detecting UNSC readings as well as faint signals of the Equinox, wherever we are I can't communicate with them.
´´Wort wort wort ´´- An elite said taking the attention of the humans and Spartans, the elite tapped a few commands and the door opened allowing an eerie red light to illuminate the room which everyone instantly recognized.
´´ Covenant technology, we're on their base since I don't detect the normal rotation of a ship ´´.- Cortana said to everyone trough the speakers of the armor. The elites and the jackal proceeded outside of the room followed by the grunts and humans. As the chief proceeded he detected a floating object circling him like a small moon, the soul cube.
´´ Impressive , its using some sort of magnetic energy to float around us, but the Mark VI has systems in it that prevent any time of…´´- Before cortana could finish , the ground in front of them erupted revealing a massive hell knight followed by dozens of Imps, Wraith and Maggots. Everyone raised their weapons but before a single shot was fired , the soul cube lunged towards the hellkinght killing it instantly.
As the hellknight stumbled and turned to ashes, every demon nearby quickly ran and crawled back to darkness, fearful for their lives.
´´ Cool ´´- 125 commented -´´ With this baby with us , cleaning the floor of these damn demons will be a piece of cake ´´.
´´ With each demon vanquished by the reclaimer our strength grows , after 5 are defeated we can unleash the power inside of us to vanquish your enemies ´´
´´ Each 5 ´´- The chief said -´´Then let's pile up bodies ´´.
´´ Want some more you sons of bitches ´´- The sarge yelled after imp by imp burned with the constant BFG shots - ´´ O yeah, I love this weapon ´´.
´´ Sergeant we need to keep moving ´´- Spartan 147 yelled as she along with 3 marines unleashed a wide burst towards incoming maggots.
´´ O alright then, just had to spoil my fun didn't you ´´- The sarge replied and fired one more round before following the said marines and Spartan to safety. Once they entered a corridor 147 tapped a few commands and the door closed.
´´ Seal it now´´- 147 ordered and the marine still in possession of a plasma rifle sealed the door. -´´good, that will give us a few moments to rest ´´.
With rest she meant no constant demon persecution , after herself along with Spartan 143 and 160 recon the covenant base they decided to put a shiva nuclear warhead inside to completely destroy any info regarding earth's location, however they didn't count that the covenant carrier would fly over them and fired to the ground forces, in the end only a handful of marines and themselves managed to seek refuge in the base.
And since then ,the demons didn't stop their hunting.
´´ We better get moving ´´- The sarge said -´´ And don't whine marine ´´.
147 raised her assault rifle, slapped a fresh magazine in it and counted 60, along with two extra clips, they were running out of ammo.
´´ Sarge look ´´- A marine said after spotting the words armory on top of a door. Like a kid in a candy store he run inside. 147 ignored the yells of the sarge towards the marine focusing on something.
´´ Since when the covenant use plain English…´´- 147 thought and it hit her, she yelled to the marine just as he crossed the gate.
The marine barely turned as from the shadows a large head and teeth devoured his head , the headless corpse walked a few feet and showered the surroundings of blood. 147 along with the sarge and the two marines lifted their weapons but the doors quickly shut. A diabolical laugh filled their comm.
´´ God damn it , this bitches are messing with us ´´- A marine fired his rifle to the ceiling -´´Come out you cowards and face me ´´.
´´ Can it marine, and stop wasting ammo you dumb ass, unless you want to refill in the armory ´´-The sarge yelled to the marine.
´´ Let's keep moving already, we need to reach the communications array to send for help´´
´´ Alright then, come on ladies and please don't run to the nearest bathroom when you see the freaking letters will you ´´- the sarge said and followed 147, outgunned and outnumbered they needed help out of there.
´´ Hold ´´- 125 whispered and everyone took cover, a floating like thing with a massive jaw passed in the further corridor, an elite disobeyed and in one clean jump sliced the demon in half. In unison ,countless imps lunged towards the elite from the shadows.
´´ Damn it, open fire ´´- The chief yelled and they cleared the elite from a few imps, being in close quarters using the BFG was a risk so he opted for his battle rifle. The soul cube lighted 3 light as the chief took down 3 imps -´´ Two more…´´- The chief thought.
The elite raised himself from the floor and crushed an imp skull , furious for the attacks. Just as they were gaining some breath , a red pentagram appeared in the end of the hall and from it a skeleton like thing appeared. Unaware of its weak looks the Revenant fired two modified jackhammer missiles instead of the seeker ones it usually used. The elite along with an ODST and nearby grunts were instantly killed by the blast radius.
The chief along with the survivors took cover almost instantly, with that kind of firepower it would only take a shot to be killed.
´´ Any ideas ´´
´´ Just one ´´- The chief told Cortana -´´ Everyone stay back ´´- The chief risked firing a BFG charge in close quarters, just as the revenant appeared in the next hall, the chief fired a cell and ducked. The cell took down the revenant and his supplies of missiles, bringing down the ceiling permanently sealing the hallway.
´´ Those missiles were from our M19 SSM rocket launcher ´´- Cortana said after some moments.-´´ Those things are adapting our technology as their own.
´´It appears so ´´- The chief commented- ´´But at least they don't have this yet ´´- The chief said motioning his BGF.
´´ You know, the sarge has the other prototype , I would guess that they already have one´´- Cortana said.
´´ I doubt it ´´- The chief said, then he turned to see his smaller group: Spartan 125, 3 ODST's, an elite and jackal and somehow 2 grunts made it.
´´ 125, you and the elite watch our rear, I will lead the group along with the ODST's ´´- The chief then turned to the grunts -´´ You along with that jackal follow us in the middle. The grunts happily replied after being put in the safest position. The chief turned to the soul cube to see 4 of 5 light on, of course he had used it already 3 times along the way, but somehow it seemed harder now to recharge it.
´´ They're avoiding as much contact with us…´´.
´´ God lord, what the fuck is that crap ´´- The sarge commented as the narrow ways were constantly showing rotten meat growing in the walls and ceilings. -´´Nice decoration ´´.
´´ I agree, however it's best that we leave it alone for the time being ´´- 147 replied , the team advanced ,carefully or grossed out to avoid contact with the flesh. 147 looked like a vein formed a face just now, but she quickly saw it faint.- ´´Stay focus…´´
The sound of some sort of metal and chain echoed further on, everyone raised their weapons to be ready. As they approached , a wall collapsed and from it some sort of zombie wielding a chainsaw surprised him. By the surprise a marine yelled like a lady.
´´ O come on ´´- The sarge fired a cell, caring less for the nearby marines and the close quarters , blowing the zombie in blood and gore -´´ You've seen horned beasts, carnal abominations and who knows how much damn guts and you're scared of him ´´.- The marine avoided the serge's gaze looking to the ground.
´´ Sergeant look out ´´- 147 tackled the incoming zombie that materialized behind him and the two of the fell in some sort of air vent. 147 landed in some thing that broke into pieces, taking a closer look she identified it as bones, hundreds of skeletons.
´´ The zombie tried to lift himself from the floor, but 147 kicked him in the face and then she grabbed a sharp bone or something and buried it in the zombie's neck.
´´ Are you alright ´´- The sarge yelled from his position.
´´ I'm fine, however I might need a new route to get to you ´´.
´´ Wait there, well find a way down to your position ´´- The sarge yelled -´´ O and by the way ´´- He dropped her assault rifle -´´ I think this is yours ´´. – 147 grabbed her rifle and turned the light on. The poor light of the rifle illuminated the corridors in which 147 walked, almost like a maze. A growl emanated not far from her position, judging by the sound something big.
After some minutes she reached an almost open area, just as the sounds increased, opting to advance instead of waiting to be found a nearby gate or door opened, a grotesque fat being with tubes on his hands appeared before her. 147 unleashed a full clip towards the behemoth unsuccessfully. The mancubus fired a fireball which 147 easily avoided, but the blast hit the wall behind her and the blast radius send her to the floor. 147 took the pin of her last 2 frags and rolled them towards the demon as he approached her. The fat demon was about to fire again but the grenades sent him flying.
147 lifted herself and saw that ¾ of her shields were down, opting to wait for them to recharge she didn't saw a second and third mancubus appear , the blasts were also avoided in time by her, but one managed to get her draining her shields and damaging her armor. 147 crawled towards a corner and reloaded her rifle, fear getting to her. A mancubus appeared in front of her ready to finish his prey.
´´147 move ´´- Cortana said by the comm. 147 not thinking quickly moved as a BFG charge blew the fat demon in pieces, she managed to look to her left just in time to see the chief send some sort of cube thing towards the last demon ,completely killing it.
´´ Karen are you alright ´´- The chief said as he approached her, still aiming his weapon towards the place where the demons appeared. 147 merely nodded and with his help she stood up. Spartan 125 along with the last ODST's approached them, however 147 quickly raised her rifle towards their new companions.
´´ Calm down ,they're allies, well sort of´´- Cortana said by the comm. however that didn't eased 147. That is until the chief reassured that statement.
´´ She's right ´´- The chief said referring to Cortana -´´ Right now those demons are a bigger threat even for them ´´- 147 reluctantly lowered her rifle.
´´ Yo chief , good to see you, along with some ugly faces ´´- The sarge yelled from a nearby door as the rest of the survivors found a way down. -´´ Now that everyone's here I suggest we move before more rotten mother fuckers come ´´.
´´ That's right, we need to reach the communications array and call for help of the equinox, but we haven't been able to find it by ourselves ´´- 147 replied.
´´ Maybe they can help us ´´- The chief said as he turned to a grunt -´´ Your comm. systems, where are they ´´.- The grunt turned to the elite and said something to him, the elite barked something as the grunt spoke. -´´Master say that ok to tell you, 7 corridors for you humans to the back in the 4th level, then 5 to left, 1 more level down and then forward´´.
´´ You mean south pipsqueak ´´- The sarge yelled furious -´´ We have been there already and those demons have the whole area controlled, not to mention that a section of this god damn base suddenly collapsed a while ago´´.
´´ I'm afraid we are to blame for that ´´- Cortana cut in referring to the revenant. -´´We need another route ,scanning …, o god , why didn't you tell us that you armed a warhead, now we only have 15 minutes´´.
´´ What the heck are you talking of, we didn't had a chance to arm it when that ship suddenly attacked us´´- The sarge yelled to Cortana. -´´O crap, don't tell me that those demons know how to arm it ´´.
´´ Apparently , but if they destroy the base their cube would be destroyed as well ´´.
´´ Unless it on board the covenant carrier already ´´- 125 replied to the chief -´´Now the only thing left for them is to destroy their only threat , which I mean the soul cube ´´.
´´ O please continue to discuss this matter after all we still have 14 minutes and 17 seconds to spare ´´- Cortana sarcastically said. -´´ That is until a bomb interrupt us ´´.
The chief acknowledged and motioned his team to the only viable way out, the hangar, If a single seraph fighter was still intact they could escape, he only hoped that they could all fit in.
´´ Alright ladies lets double it to the hangar ´´- The sarge yelled -´´you coven-ass feel free to stick around your base to see how it turns out´´.- The chief thought of that idea as well ,however they did help them out before so they would come as well.
In difference of the last confrontations, the demons did everything on their power to stop the advancing team, imp after imp, zombie and demons alike fell to the combined firepower of the human-covenant pact, and the soul cube wiped most rooms now that it had a wide selection of demons to recharge.
´´ Chief ,down to 7 minutes now, we need to hurry up ´´- The chief acknowledged but the demons practically poured from the darkness and tunnels, this wasn't an easy task.
´´ Cortana, how much longer to our destination ´´.
´´ 3 more hallways north and one level down, we'll need to take the small grav lift down, hopefully it will still be operable ´´.- The chief gave his BFG to 147 and he switched to assault rifle in one hand and soul cube in another, the sarge was in front already firing his own BGF and 125 had one plasma rifle, and the last elite had a still functional plasma sword.
´´ Everyone listen ´´- The chief yelled while they kept the demons at bay -´´ 147, 125 ,sarge and the elite will go with me, we'll make a way trough the enemy lines for the last 3 corridors, the rest focus on running behind us and for no reason do not fall too back of us, we are going to reach the hangar at all cost, is that understood ´´
´´ Yes sir ´´- The marines and ODST's said in unison. Two identical charges of green energy ripped the first lines of demons in front of them as the group ran forward, the elite sliced anything on his way as 125 and the chief cleared the demons that appeared in front of them almost instantly, the marines ,grunts and jackal struggled to follow in behind them.
´´ One corridor down, two to go ´´- Cortana said in the helmet. An ODST was surprised by countless trites emerging from a hole, he took down a few but in seconds he was swarmed by them. The jackal tripped and he was literally crushed by an incoming pinky demon as he made its way to the smaller group. One of the two grunts was captured by an imp but a duo of marines helped him, only to be dragged to the darkness by a hellknight.
´´ One more, hold on´´.
´´ Easy to say from there Cortana ´´- 147 said as she kept firing until the worst happen, she ran out of cells. -´´I'm out ´´- Wasting no time she switched to her battle rifle.
´´ Don't worry ,I still have it standing for these mother fucker´´- The sarge replied as he fired from his own BFG.
´´ I'm going to regret this but, 147 ´´- Cortana contacted her by comm.-´´ throw the BGF towards the demons in the back when I say so ´´.
´´But…´´
´´ Do it…Now´´- And by Cortana's command ,147 threw the prototype weapon towards the legions of demons close to their heels, the BGF temporarily disappeared in their numbers but shortly a green light erupted from within them evaporating most of their followers. Cortana had overloaded the weapon by remote command.
´´ I thought that weapon was important ´´- The chief replied to Cortana.
´´ Well yes but, so are our lives don't you think´´.
´´ Hey ,we've reached the third corridor, now what ´´.- The sarge yelled not taking his attention off of the still following demons that survived.
´´ Jump towards the grav lift ….´´- Cortana could not finish as the grav lift was unpowered and completely destroyed -´´ O great now what…´´- Cortana got her answer as the chief along with the survivors blindly jumped down. The Spartans landed easily , the sarge almost broke one leg from the high altitude but somehow managed to come intact. The elite was also intact due to his shields, but the rest of humans and grunts broke a few bones.
However they had little time to recover as the demons quickly followed, the sarge aimed his weapon up and fired -´´Blow me´´, the demons disintegrated while everyone moved to safety.
´´Over there´´- Cortana motioned everyone to a pair of seraph fighters still intact, imps and maggots were destroying the remaining ones.
´´ Everyone on board I'll hold them ´´- The chief yelled as he took imp after imp recharging the cube as he did. The teams divided to 2 groups to fit into the two fighters, once full ,the chief unleashed the soul cube to wipe out the incoming demons, 147 awaited him along with the sarge and some marines and grunts.
´´ Give me a minute to open the hangar gates ´´- Cortana said from the cockpit's comm.
´´ No need , I'll open it ´´- The sarge said from the front seat , he armed two plasma missiles and blasted the doors open -´´Much faster don't you think ´´.
´´ Who cares, we only have 2 minutes ,just get us out Now ´´- Cortana yelled by the comm. and the seraph lifted from the ground. The elite onboard the other fighter along with some marines and 125 was still on the ground. Seeing this ,the chief opened a comm. to the second fighter.
´´ What are you waiting for ,power your fighter now ´´.
´´ Sir, the elite appears to have some sort of trouble starting the fighter ´´- 125 replied by comm.
´´ Hold on ´´- Cortana said by comm. -´´I'll try to start it from here, stay calm´´.
´´ Please hurry Cortana , I don't like…ZZZZZZZ´´.- The comm. went dead , Cortana with the still functional surveillance of their fighter could see 3 hellknights literally crushing the fighter. After seeing this, the chief had no choice to leave, but before he did he turned to the sarge. -´´ blow them back to hell ´´.
The sarge turned the fighters weapons towards the 3 demons, and with a smile on his face he blasted the 3 hellknights and nearby imps to pieces in revenge of their comrades. With one minute left ,the lone seraph fighter accelerated to space, crossing the fog that encircled the entire planet to rendezvous with the Equinox and the two escort ships. An immense light cut trough the fog as the warhead completely destroyed the demon infested covenant base.
Not wasting time Cortana contacted the Equinox before they were confused as covenant- ´´Cortana to the Equinox, we are inbound your position in a covenant seraph fighter, do not open fire, prepare a med team for the wounded´´.
The comm. turned to life as a female voice was heard -´´ This is commander Mackenzie of the Equinox, thank god you're alive, we lost contact with the Alpha base several hours ago and our efforts to communicate were useless, who is with you ´´.
´´ The master chief along with Spartan 147, sergeant Johnson and 3 soldiers and some guests ´´- Cortana said referring to the two grunts. -´´ the others didn't make it…´´.
´´ I understand, return to the Equinox by hangar 5 , well debrief you once you're safe ´´- the Commander said and returned to her post, if captain Stukov was dead or MIA she was now the ranking officer, a newly appointed job not by choice. A technician in the bridge broke her concentration as the ships sensors detected movement in the planets surface.
´´ Commander, an unknown object is coming from the planet's surface, sensors register it as a ship of unknown origin ´´.
´´ All weapons on standby, order the other 2 ships to prepare as well, once the ship is on range open fire ´´- Everyone waited for the ship to emerge ,expecting to see the covenant carrier ,instead a bizarre vessel apparently formed with bones and flesh appeared in their screens.
´´ Jesus… what is that´´- The commander said after inspecting the covenant shaped vessel, somehow the demons had transformed it to their needs, but little time did she had when the ship turned to their direction.
´´ The enemy ship is firing on us, prepare for impact ´´.
One or two more chapters and this fic, as well as my sacred march , I'll finish it, I've been reviewing the last chapters and Indeed I found countless grammatical errors, After this update I will correct them, well until next update.
