Chapter 2 – Encounter and Solution
Well I didn't hear an angry mob so I decided to continue.
Spartan 204 reloaded his gun and was the first in his team to enter the hanger. He slipped through the door and entered.
There was complete and utter silence. The Spartan looked around at the people lying dead everywhere. He took a deep breath and swallowed hard.
"They certainly made quick work of this lot," he said.
"Who? I can't find anyone, Dameon," another replied.
"I think they've gone, Jordan," a different Spartan told them.
Dameon looked down where the Spartan was standing. The door had been bashed into, it reminded Dameon of the photos of Flood areas where they had broken out. Dameon sighed, more running about.
"These guys better beware I'm not in the mood for a wild goose chase," he growled and headed back to the door.
As the door closed behind him he reloaded his gun again, agitation rising.
Suddenly he felt an unbearable pain right through his stomach. He looked down and saw the energy blade get pulled out from behind him. He turned round almost loosing his balance. Next the blade sliced towards his head and hit.
"Chief, chief," a Spartan called over his com-link wildly. "We've entered the main hanger and there's no one alive."
"Roger that," the Chief replied and continued walking down the corridors.
"Chief, there's no sign of Dameon, or Copenhagen," another voice told him with distress.
"What!" the Chief asked in shock.
"Add Fred and Samuel to that," another Spartan told him.
"And Veera and Bert," another came in.
"There has to be something. A report, a last location, a culprit, a body," the Chief said.
"No, there's nothing left of them."
"Except here," a Spartan told them.
"Oh, God. You might want to take a look at this, sir," another suggested.
"Or not."
"I'm on my way, sit tight," the Chief ordered and headed to the location on his scanners.
The Chief stepped into the armoury. Three Spartans and two medics stood in front of something the Chief couldn't quite make out. He came closer and the three Spartans saluted. The Chief gave them a salute.
"At ease," he told them and turned to the wall. "What in Sarius System did this?"
The six Spartan bodies were pinned to the wall. The Chief took a deep breath, grateful he could not experience the smell. Two marines were also pinned a bit away from the Spartans.
"Not the Sarius System, what in the ship?" a Spartan corrected him.
"Who are those two?" the Chief asked.
"Petty officers Hollogen and Murry," a medic told him.
"Do you know what's keeping them up?" the Chief asked.
"Pins," the medic answered.
"Pins?" the Chief asked.
"Pins. Big pins, they must have been forced in slowly or shot at, painfully," the second medic replied.
"Nice to know," the Chief grunted.
"My pleasure," the second medic said.
"We still don't know the location of…" a Spartan started but stopped as if unwilling to continue.
"…The heads," the Chief finished.
"Pretty much," the Spartan replied.
"Sir, I think I found your culprit," a Spartan whispered over the com-link.
"Monsoon? Where are you?" the Chief asked.
"At the Cryo Bay. I was on my way to Dennis when I saw it," Monsoon whispered.
"Saw what?" the Chief asked and started to the Cryo Bay.
"It's like an Elite, but, sir, it's covered in armour," Monsoon told him.
"They usually are," the Chief replied.
"This is different, sir. It's reinforced, and…Whoah!"
The Chief hurried as he heard something swipe dangerously close to Monsoon. He kept listening and Monsoon kept the com-link on.
"Abay Donan dotel," the Elite voice hollered. "The plague shall be wiped out."
"I didn't know you had a translator," the Chief said.
"I don't," Monsoon replied. "Come on scumbag!"
The Chief sprang through the doors and rushed closer to Monsoon.
"Jordan, Aaron get over here now," the Chief ordered, noticing they were closest.
He whizzed into the Cryo Bay where Monsoon was located. Vertical pods lined the walls, accompanied by a series of tests.
Monsoon was wrestling with what looked like an Elite. It's armour was a green colour and covered every inch of the Elite. A visor not unlike the Chief's own, spread across the Elite's eyes.
The Chief hooked his gun around his arm. He wasn't going to endanger the lives of those sleeping. He ran over and jumped on the Elite bringing it down. He hooked his arms through the Elite's, keeping them flailing away from Monsoon.
Monsoon approached and drew back his fist. The Elite kicked him back, using the force to shake the Chief's grip. The Elite grabbed a grenade and threw it towards the Cryo pods. The Chief immediately let go and headed to the grenade. Aaron and Jordan rushed in and quickly saw the situation.
Aaron instantly did what he thought best and leapt on top of the grenade. It exploded. The Chief raised his arms to cover his eyes, though they were behind a visor. When the smoke cleared the Chief bit his lip. Aaron had shielded the blast, just enough.
Behind him the Elite sprang up and vanished. The Chief had seen invisibility devices before, and was used to shooting at the light distortions known by certain Spartans as the jelly effect. This was no exception and he followed the Elite out of the Bay before firing.
He let loose all he could, firing round after round. Gritting his teeth and restarting every time he saw any movement. Then, nothing. He looked around and reloaded again. He glanced at his scanners and frowned at seeing the enemy did not register.
Suddenly something with great force hit him over the back of the head. His vision clouded and he fell to the floor.
Master Chief stared thoughtfully ahead. The Covenant had certainly never acted this way before. When they attacked, they attacked in numbers. Not one measly boarding pod.
He took a fleeting look at the Spartan beside him. The Spartan was no taller than himself and strode quickly, as if eager for the battle. Master Chief took a turn, the Spartan followed.
It felt strange to have another Spartan around, after… He sighed at the thought of Reach and pushed it aside.
Whatever was waiting for him, he would defeat it. Whatever the problem, he would solve it. Whatever happened, he would win.
Ray stared straight ahead, his pace pressured as he tried to slow down. He couldn't help it, when he had lots to think about he strode fast.
He refrained from turning his head as he looked at Master Chief. The Spartan had the new armour and looked just like every other Spartan. Ray concluded that it must be the fact he knew it was the Master Chief that gave the Spartan a superior hue.
Another turn and there was the door. They entered the training bay. The Master Chief had concluded this would be at their advantage with their strength. Plenty of heavy objects, weapons, Ray liked it.
"Ray, I just heard what's going on," a voice Ray recognised as Aoife. "Good luck. You too MC."
"Thanks Aoife," Ray replied. "I'm sure it'll be a breeze."
Ray smiled behind his amber visor. He looked around and fingered the weights. He picked up the lightest one and placed it down. He needn't have lifted a finger it was so light.
It was rather strange coming here at this time. Though there was no difference with the light it felt different. He usually came during the mornings and the occasional evening. Now here he was in the middle of the afternoon or so his in built clock said.
Then the door behind them opened, no one there. Ray didn't bother to look at his scanners: he had noticed that newer cloaking devices didn't register. So he looked instead for differences in the light. Master Chief suddenly started to fire, Ray turned but before he could shoot something hooked around his neck.
He groped around for the slim object that he had noticed. He couldn't feel anything and his scanners didn't show anything so he returned to shooting.
Master Chief had stopped however and Ray took a step forward. Something stopped him, around his neck something tightened. It started to break through the weaker protective covering. Ray fumbled for the cause, whatever it was he couldn't get hold of it properly.
Master Chief looked around the room for another light distortion. As he looked he turned around and saw the other Spartan fumbling around his neck. Master Chief recognised the alteration in the light he had been waiting for.
"Don't move," Master Chief ordered and raised his gun.
Master Chief raised his gun and Ray stiffened. The bullets rang through the air speeding to their target. Suddenly something forced Ray to step to the left. Ray didn't have time to react before half a barrel of shots had severed his arm. He fell to the ground and focused on getting the thing off his neck, trying to ignore the blinding pain. He had never been that good at ignoring pain.
Master Chief cursed inside his head and reloaded. Something knocked over some weights behind him and Master Chief spun round whacking the enemy. Unlike the usual invisible Covenant no blood splattered anywhere.
Master Chief held his assault rifle ready. He felt something tingle… his shoulder. His shoulder! Master Chief turned around and pulled the trigger. Sparks flew and energy reflected as the bullets bounced off the shield. Master Chief kept firing and reloaded.
He felt a little surprised that the invisibility device had not been shot out or the shield worn down. He shot again and saw the flash as an energy sword was activated. This was a different kind of sword, the same length but one point instead of two, just one shard. Then another was activated, two swords.
Master Chief watched as the invisibility shield was switched off. The sandy armoured Elite stood ready. A pale visor stretched across it's face. The whole of it's body was covered in air tight armour.
It looked at him and raised its swords, ready to strike. Master Chief raised his gun and started to shoot another round into it. The Elite stepped forward and brought its blades down upon him. The first blade hit him, just breaking the joint armour of his shoulder. Master Chief ducked and rolled out of the way, shooting as soon as he got his grounding again.
Ray slowed his energetic struggle and froze in his position. He was loosing blood and vital fluids. Then he opened his com-link.
"Olive team, this is Spartan 222, reporting," he stated through painful gasps. "Master Chief locked in on going combat with Elite. Assistance needed."
"On our way, sir. What's your status?" a voice asked.
"Left arm severed, badly wounded," Ray replied. "Get down here ASAP."
"Entering junction 378, nearly…WHAT THE?" the voice shouted.
Ray heard gunshots before the link closed. He looked up to see how Master Chief was doing.
Master Chief reloaded, this was his last round. He didn't seem to be hitting the Elite and the fight wasn't going too well. This time he waited, not wanting to waste the round he had left.
The Elite held the swords high before attacking. It slashed down, twirled and brought the swords up again. Just when the Elite fetched the swords up Master Chief whacked the Elite. It faltered, stepping back. Master Chief let loose his last round firing it and whacking when he could.
Suddenly the door was bashed in and a large team of Spartans entered full force. The Elite cloaked again and through the shouting Master Chief could hear the Elite.
"Wort, wort," the Elite said somewhere by the other Spartan on the floor.
The other Spartan, bleeding and exhausted suddenly started to get towed along. He yelled in surprise but he stopped moving. A door opened near the other Spartan and Master Chief immediately headed there.
He stepped out of the training bay and looked each way down the corridor. He couldn't see anyone or anything, it was empty. Master Chief went back into the room and looked around.
Spartans were searching for any sign of the intruders.
"The Elite or Elites are out of the training bay. Headed to either the main hanger or to the mesh hall," Master Chief told the Spartans.
The ones who weren't dealing with the wounded Spartan split up and left the training bay. Master Chief left with the group headed towards the main hanger.
"Master Chief?" Master Chief heard the Admiral call.
"Admiral," he replied.
"The boarding ship has left, cease pursuit," the Admiral told him. "Meet me in my office at 1800."
Master Chief entered the grey room that was the Admiral's office. The Admiral sat behind the standard metal desk on a black padded chair. Behind the Admiral certificates and a few pictures gave some colour to the bleak wall.
Three other Spartans were already stood at his desk along with several other people of high status. Master Chief recognised a general or two.
"Master Chief," the Admiral greeted and stood up.
Master Chief gave a salute and the Admiral returned the salutation.
"We're waiting for one more," he informed them.
Just then a man, a Captain by the look of his uniform and badges, entered. The black haired Captain looked hurried and gave the Admiral a salute.
"Sorry, my ship just docked," he panted, trying to control his breathing.
"You're excused, Captain Kalon," the Admiral replied, frowning disapprovingly of the lack of formality.
The Captain sat down on one of the extra chairs laid out. Master Chief however stayed standing like the other Spartans.
"The boarding ship that intruded earlier is still being tailed, but it is headed towards Covenant territory," the Admiral started. "Therefore we cannot continue to follow it. Two different intruders were seen, but there is thought to be three due to the circumstances. As well as the loss of six Spartans at present, several dozens of marines and the wounding of over five Spartans another is missing."
He waited for this to sink in.
"Any comments?" he asked the silent crowd.
"Three, stealth units intruded one of, if not the most defended and powerful ship in the UNSC," a general summarised anger in his voice. "Causing an absurdly high amount of casualties, with Spartans being among the deceased."
"Yes," the Admiral replied.
"And now they have a hostage," the general grumbled.
"No, it's more likely that we just haven't found the seventh Spartan to have died," a Spartan spoke up.
The Spartan, Spartan 160, had a reputation for being good with rocket launchers. Master Chief almost smiled for knowing this. It suited the Spartan's temper though.
"Why do you say that?" Captain Kalon asked.
"The last six missing were later found in the armoury lacking a head," the Spartan growled. "And the only hostages I've ever heard of all ended up dead."
"Ended up dead, that means there is a good chance they're still alive," Captain Kalon reminded the Spartan.
"Who was it?" a calmer Spartan asked, feminine by the sound of her voice. "Who got taken?"
The Admiral sighed before answering, "the Secondary Chief."
Master Chief searched his memory again. She was Spartan 152, the highly regarded Chief of the white team, selected usually for snowy terrain. Her armour was white with a few scorch marks here and there.
"What's the plan?" the third Spartan asked.
Master Chief knew this person. Spartan 180, his sandy armour helped identification. He specialised in desert climates and terrain. Master Chief had worked with him on several occasions and concluded he was a very good commander.
"I was hoping for a few ideas," the Admiral told them.
"Well they came to us the first time, they'll come the second time," Spartan 160 concluded. "I believe there is a Spartan on Kellis II that may need a warning."
The Admiral nodded.
"What I don't get is how they knew who their targets were," a Captain sighed.
Suddenly Spartan 180 slammed his hand on the desk. He slowly removed it revealing shattered metal and wires that sparked a little.
"It seems that the Covenant are resorting to new tricks," he told the group.
"How did that get there? How come I didn't notice it?" the Admiral growled.
"The Elite's could have put it there," Spartan 152 answered. "I don't know why it wasn't noticed though."
"A nano cloak," Master Chief said. "Cortana saw something about it in the Covenant records. Its use was refused by the High Council though."
"Obviously not this one though," a General retorted. "Why wasn't this noted?"
"There were more important tasks at mind," Master Chief replied.
The General looked away moodily. Master Chief turned towards the Admiral.
"I say we set a trap, a greeting party if you will for them," Spartan 160 suggested. "At Kellis II."
"Agreed," the Admiral said.
"I'll go," Spartan 160 offered.
"I'm afraid not," the Admiral told him. "Kellis II is a snow planet and besides, you're needed for another mission."
Spartan 160 did not say anything though Master Chief had a feeling he was extremely annoyed. The Admiral turned to Spartan 152.
"Think you're up to it?" he asked.
The Spartan nodded. "I'm on it."
"So it's agreed? A welcome party for the Elites," the Admiral asked.
The group nodded and mumbled approvingly, not seeing another solution.
"With due respects, sir. These are noted by the Covenant not just as Elites but as the Furies," a General informed them.
Sorry it took so long to post I thought I'd put up five chaps. :)