-::Sorry for the long wait. The quarantine has definitely helped me finish this chapter. Hopefully I can get the next out just as fast::-
Waking up before anyone else like he had been for the past few days, Jared sat up and stretched. He stood up and yawned before peering through the window that was close to the makeshift night stand. Darkness loomed over what he could see, though faint light filled a corner of the city square, the meeting point for the recon group. He threw on his jacket and left the room, entering the ground floor the once lively and wild room now remained nearly silent save for the few whispers between people working on shifts, getting supplies or taking a break themselves. He slowly closed the door and made his way through the alleyway that led to the center of town, the same alley he'd taken just days before, nearly saving the people of this city.
As he entered the city square he could make out 4 marines huddled around a small smoldering fire. "Good to see you sir" one said in a low tone, putting his hand out, the others remained silent and watched as Jared shook the marines hand. "Sargent Englewood, sir," the man said as they shook. "All five of us are here. Formalities?" The Sargent continued. "Corporal Barnes" one sat up from the wall he was laying against, his face illuminated by the weak fire before them all, showing scars from past skirmishes. "He was the sniper up on that balcony that day, he saved your ass" one sitting on top of a ledge said. The marines chuckled, "Corporal Dwight, I'm his wing-man." He said pointing towards Barnes. "That over there is Specialist Cook and Private Nelson. Both were once army toppers but have seen enough to treat 'em as marines in my book." Englewood finished. "Interesting to see the Army with Marines." Jared stated as he moved closer and crouched down by the fire, soaking in what little heat it gave off. "After the attack everyone fell into disarray, so I grabbed both of them and a few others. Hoping I could get them out alive, despite my best efforts, these few good men and some others are all I could get out." He responded, not looking away from the fire. His eyes glazed over. The pain reflected in his eyes. "You did what you could. And because of who you did save, we're still alive today" Jared said. Sargent Englewood stood up and readjusted his helmet "as much as this wonderful conversation is, it's time to get to business" he said pulling a knife out from behind him. "It's simple enough, unlike here, there are trees surrounding the area that we can use as cover and concealment. The plan for infill is the same as usual, clear out a section, silent and quick and investigate, any evidence of us or anything to help turn the tides of the war." he continued, drawing a small outline of a square. "The least fortified position is to the western side of the city." He said drawing a cross on the square to one of the corners of the square, He stood up and put his knife behind him, sheathing it. "We head out in fifteen, be ready. This is a stealth operation, get what you need and meet at the front gate." he finished.
Cook handed Jared a BR55 battle rifle, and an M6G pistol. Inspecting the weapon he placed the pistol on his leg strap and the battle rifles strap around his neck. The specialist handed him a pack full of ammunition as well as supplies. "Can't have too much," he said. Accepting the pack and placing it on his back, he nodded to the young man and made his way to the front gate. "I know it'd be best to leave me behind for the sake of not letting me fall into the wrong hands but you don't have much of a choice" Cato said, her voice echoing around in his skull. 'I wasn't planning on it, you can get us inside a lot easier if you're able to see our enemies for us, help us plan a route' he thought as he walked through the dimly lit streets, the sun's light had broken the horizon but not the sun itself. He took a deep breath as he made his way into the opening near the gate. A transport Warthog with it's engine running beside the gate. Two of them threw bags into the back and hopped in. The sergeant stood beside Jared and sighed, "seems like you've had these kinds of missions before?" Jared asked. They both began walking towards the Warthog "not as often as we are getting them now, before we would get simple missions to patrol or doing police work, boring usual shit." he paused "now that we've fallen under your jurisdiction, we have gotten the ability to go and properly conduct these missions and more, making the tides of this war shift greatly. At Least from our standpoint" he finished as they made it to the Warthog, both threw their gear in the back and loaded up. Jared sat in the back with Cook, Nelson, and Barnes while Sargent Englewood drove and Dwight sat passenger. "It'll more than likely be just before sunset when we get to the outskirts of Chaura." the Sargent said before pulling out of the gate and speeding into the canyons.
Hours later, just as expected, the sun was close to setting, the drive felt only a few hours instead of the nearly twelve it actually was. "Suit up and get ready for the recon phase" Jared heard from the front of the Warthog. He turned around and grabbed the helmet he had been leaning against as a head rest, and put it on. Jared got out of the Warthog and loaded his rifle. "Start covering the hog in foliage to conceal it, prevent it from being seen" Barnes said as he hopped out and loaded his sniper rifle, the metal clanged together as he loaded a round. "Barnes and Dwight will provide oversight as we begin our infiltration plan." Englewood said looking at the two then nodding. "Cato will be linked between comms to keep you two informed on enemy locations" James said, Cato responded by sending a chill down his back. "My scans are showing that the western side is about to have a shift change." Cato said. The two ran deeper into the woods, disappearing within seconds. "After they change, that'll be our que." Englewood said and started to make his way towards the edge of the city, Jared, Cook, and Nelson followed suit.
Reaching the outer rim of the city, the challenge became more apparent. Shanty towns stretched into the woods. It would make them more visible. "So long as we stick to the shadows and stay away from the mass public, we should be able to make our way to the inner parts" Cook whispered to the others. "Barnes, Dwight, you find a good vantage point?" Englewood spoke into his radio. Static filled the radio, the voice of Barnes came through, "probably not the best spot, were both sitting in a tree. We'll have to move closer once you get past the camps" the radio cackled. "Ok, we will let you know when the time comes." Englewood replied. The four crept forward towards the camp. The sun had finally set and darkness began to fill the woods. The camp seemed nearly deserted, only a few Sangheili who were out, cleaning or cooking. Sneaking their way through slowly, making their best efforts to not get spotted. They came across an elder Sangheili, sat by himself outside, whittling away at a small piece of wood. "He's blocking our only way through," Englewood said. "Take him out, non-lethal" he continued. Jared snuck up behind the Sangheili and wrapped his arm around his neck. The Sangheili began to struggle, his strength beginning to outweigh Jared's own, pulling Jared's arm off his throat, the elder began to beg for his life. "Please don't take me, I don't want to die!" he exclaimed, eventually Jared regained his grip and started to choke the elder. The strength of the Sangheili began to weaken and eventually he had passed out. Loosening his grip, the Sangheili fell to the ground with a heavy thud. The others showed up behind Jared, "what is going on here? Are these like death camps or something?" Nelson whispered as he helped pull the Sangheili into the darkness. "Let's continue," Englewood said. "We're almost out of the camp area and to the outer rim of the city. Barnes and Dwight, find a better spotting point" he said into the radio. "Negative enemies are directly below us and advancing on your location. Find cover ASAP" Barnes whispered into his radio, his voice being amplified through their helmets' speakers. Instinctively they entered the tent the elder had sat in front of, dragging him inside with them.
The dimly lit tent barely had enough room to house the five of them. "What do we do now?" Cook whispered to the others. Jared opened his mouth but was silenced by the sound of footsteps outside the tent. Everyone remained quiet, the footsteps began to fade. The Sangheili began to mumble, he was waking up. "Knock him the fuck back out" Jared whispered, the footsteps stopped, "what was that?" a voice outside the tent said. "Barnes do you have a shot on the elites outside?" Englewood whispered. "I have a clear enough view, i can get one but the second I fire, the ones below me will be aware of our position," he replied. The elder Sangheili raised his hands to cover his face, Jared pulled them down and pointed his pistol at his head. "Say a word and you'll have a hole in your skull" he whispered. He threw his hands above his head and shook his head. The footsteps approached the tent "where did that noise come from?" the voice outside said. "Could've just been someone in their tent" another spoke. All four sighed in relief as the sound of footsteps retreated away. "Now then, can we trust you not to say a word, or should we go ahead and get this over with?" Jared said, pulling the slide back and inspecting the round inside the chamber, emphasizing the possibility of shooting him. "Not a word" he whispered, "please save us" he finished. The begging for help threw Jared off, "what exactly is going on here?" Jared asked, lowering his pistol. "These could pass like death camps" he exclaimed "they kicked us out and we made our homes here, then they came and started killing us." he finished. Nelson took a peek out the tent "they're gone, now would be the time to move" he said. A sigh of relief came from both Jared and Englewood "push on to the center" Englewood said as he exited the tent, the rest followed closely behind.
The tents faded away and they entered the main city. As they passed from small alley to alley, the empty sand covered roads made the city seem like a ghost town. "Where are all the people?" Nelson whispered as they came to a halt before crossing another street. "Either asleep or in that camp back there" Jared said as he watched the street as the Sargent ran across the street. Jared checked both ways then ran, Nelson ran across, and then Cook. "Barnes, Dwight. Where are you two?" Englewood asked. "Holed up in an empty house, we don't see anyone for quite a while." one said over the radio. "Implying there is someone up ahead?" he asked. The radio remained silent for a few seconds. "From what we can see there's only a few outside in the center of the city, it's like they have no intentions of guarding this area." they responded. "Why would they be guarding the outskirts but not the city itself?" Jared thought. "It would appear the level of concern isn't with these people. Sympathizers of their cause perhaps?" Cato echoed through his head.
The look on everyone else's faces gave the same expression of confusion. Eventually they carried on into the city towards the suspected headquarters.
Making it nearly to the entrance they met resistance, guards began patrolling the streets and on top of rooftops, the level of security grew large in size in a matter of meters. Running into an open street with a few Sangheili on the roofs watching over the street created an issue. "We got three Sangheili above us, on the roofs. Might need some assistance" Englewood said. "Just give me the word and I'll drop them." Barnes said through the radio. He turned to Jared "gonna need that skill you showed the first day you came to Bdaoro" he said. He gave a sigh and lifted his battle rifle. "I got the one on the far side but i can't take out it's shields in burst." he said as he took aim on the Sangheilis head "i got his shields but as soon as they're down, take him out. We should be far enough away that they won't hear our shots. Especially with the silencer" he said lifting up his own weapon, a DMR. "on three. One, two, three" Englewood whispered, a bullet whizzed out of what seemed like nowhere and struck one in the neck. Simultaneously, the Sergeant fired, the sanghellis shield flickered and died. As soon as his silenced shot rang out, Jared fired and two of the three bullets landed, on in the chest and the second in the head. Both fell to the ground nearly in sync. "Could've been better" Jared said lowering his weapon "you hit 'em that all that matters, lets go" Englewood said and he crossed the street. Jared and the others followed behind.
Three guards stood outside the entrance to the suspected headquarters. "I'm going to assume this is the entrance to their nerve center." Nelson said looking through the sight on his weapon at the head of one of the elites. "There's gotta be a possible way inside without drawing attention to us or alerting them." he continued and lowered his weapon and sighed, looking around for any possible entrances. "Barnes" Englewood called over the radio, "see any possible entrances?" he continued. "I see one, a window on an adjacent building could provide a safe enough jump across." he said "just be advised, we cannot get a good enough angle to provide support once inside." he finished. "Here's the plan," Englewood said, turning to face the building Barnes had mentioned. "Jared and Nelson will infill through that building, Cook and I will keep guard beside the building to keep an eye on who comes in or leaves, if anything sketchy happens we'll let you know and we get the fuck out of here" he said turning back to the other three, who each nodded in agreement.
Turning back the road they had come down and going towards the back of the building they prepped to breach through the back door. Cook stacked at the front and Nelson behind him, followed by Englewood and then Jared, they slowly opened the door, which appeared to be made of plywood or an equivalent. The bottom floor covered in sand and dirt, silence filled the air as the swept the bottom floor before proceeding up the stairs. Atop the stairs was an open room with a single bed. Cook stopped everyone who followed him and turned his head to the others. "Beds not empty" he said, conveying his message in the least amount of words. As they creeped up the stairwell, both Cook and Nelson left their weapons pointed at the figure in the bed. "Englewood, check it." Jared said and he gave him an uneasy look. Inching closer he gripped the sheets and slowly pulled it back. A Sangheili man laid in the bed, Englewood looked back in confusion. "We can't just expect him not to wake up" he said, "got cuffs?" Jared asked. Englewood sighed and turned back to the Sangheili "sorry 'bout this buddy" he said pulling metal cuffs out of his bag, he grabbed his arm and began to move it behind his back, instantly he woke up. "What the-" he spoke, Englewood grabbed his mandibles and twisted them. "One word and you will be shot" he said, the Sangheili looked past him and saw three weapons trained on his skull. He remained silent and Englewood proceeded to place the handcuffs on him. Jared and Nelson moved towards the window and peered out of it, a window opposite to theirs was well lit, a narrow hallway lined the opposite side of the window. Jared stood on the ledge preparing to jump, "toss me my weapon after i cross" he handed his battle rifle to Nelson and then leaped across a six foot gap, gripping onto the ledge and pulling himself up, turning to grab his weapon, Nelson tossed it to him, then his own weapon. Nelson attempted the jump, gripping the ledge as well, Jared helped pull him up, he looked to the opposite window where Englewood stood, both nodding to each other then turning around.
"Onwards and outwards" Jared whispered to himself and began moving down the hallway, checking doors along the path, all of which seemed to be dark and empty. Soon they had made it to a stairwell that went both up and down. "Be ready, there could be anyone, or anything up here." Jared said to Nelson. "Cato, can you access any systems inside this structure?" he thought, a shiver went down his back. "There appear to be a few conscious bodies above you, there are easily 10 others who are currently sleeping" she responded.
Englewood turned to the Sangheili and crouched down, the Sangheili now sitting up against the wall. "Who are you?" he asked, the Sangheili looked up at him, "I'm just a nobody" still half asleep, he mumbled over his words. "Well from what we've seen, there's nearly nobody in this city. So tell me, who are you before this turns uncomfortable" he said, reading his gloves. "They have the ones they sent away, others fled, some of us stayed. The ones who did stayed out of either fear or loyalty." he said lowering his head. Englewood stood up "keep an eye on him, no tricks or shit, he tries to stand, shoot him, he insults you, shoot him. Were not here for friends, I'm searching the room and keeping watch" he said as he began searching the room. Under the bed was a hidden trap door, he opened it and pulled out a book that was stashed inside. "What's this?" he asked, the Sangheili now wide awake shifted, Cook tightened his grip and threatened the male. "Seems important? Clearly someone who takes a book seriously has got something to hide." he said opening the book. The first few pages were covered in drawings. Then writing
The Hand of Prophecy came and took my son and my wife has been missing since yesterday. I pray they haven't done anything to her.
I found out from other people that they take the young ones to train them into their own army. And the women are used. What kind of sick monsters would do this? Our species was known and respected for our loyalty and respect. Now we are treated worse than anyone else by our own people
I plan to get answers tomorrow, try to get them both back if I can.
I saw Khoga today at the open field above the cliffs, he didn't even recognize me. What have they done to my son?
The pages stopped after the fifth page. Englewood looked at the Sangheili, who now was fighting not to fall asleep on them. "What are they doing here?" he asked him, placing the book on the bed. "If you didn't get out on time, they took everyone" he paused "everything, from you." he said before he drifted back to sleep. Englewood kicked him lightly and he jolted back awake. "Why are you so damn tired?" he asked the Sangheili "I don't get much sleep. They don't know I'm here, at least I hope they still don't" he said.
Jared continued up the stairwell with Nelson nearly attached to his back. Entering another hallway they began searching. The closest room was lit, Jared peeked inside and saw two Sangheilis talking quietly amongst themselves. Jared held up two fingers and pointed in the room. Jared set down his rifle and unholstered his pistol and crouched down, and moved into the room, both seemed to be unaware of his presence as they faced towards a table away from the door. Nelson followed up behind him, pulling his knife out. 'Don't kill 'em' Jared mouthed to Nelson who put his knife away. As they snuck up on them both, Jared counted down and suddenly they both wrapped their arms around the elites' necks. The strength of the arms from the one Jared held nearly threw him of it's back, Jared wrapped his legs around the elite pulling tighter, struggling to keep control so the elite didn't hit anything and wake the others up they finally toppled to the floor with a thud. Nelson, still fighting to keep a grip on the one he was trying to choke out, Jared ran into them, sending them to the floor, and began punching the elite in the head. The elite threw Jared off and sent him across the room, attempting to stand up he grabbed his pistol which had flown from his hands and aimed it at the elites head. He began to squeeze the trigger, the elite lost consciousness and Jared dropped the pistol. "Thank fuck" he said quietly and holstered his pistol. "We gotta tie them up" he said "why not just kill them?" Nelson replied. "Too much blood to work with here. If we're killing them it's snapping their necks to which i'm not sure if it's possible" he replied. Nelson picked up the elites head and twisted it quickly, a solid crunch came from the base of its spine. "Guess we'll find out." he said, lifting up the other one's head and repeating the same action. Jared ignored what he'd just done and began searching for any sort of information possible. Stacks of papers found in drawers, more folders and data pads. Jared grabbed what he could and stuffed them in his bag. He came across a data pad laying on the table with multiple folders on it, each one written in sangheili followed by ascending roman numerals "seems like they did learn something from us, of all things roman numerals" jared said putting it in his bag and closing it. "Let's get out of here before the other sangheili wake" Jared said and proceeded down the stairs and down the hallway to the window. "Englewood" Jared called out, Cook came to the window "catch" he said, tossing the bag across the gap and then his weapon. Jared leaned out the window and jumped. "Stop!" a voice called out. "Shit, I should have looked," Jared said grabbing his rifle and leaning over the window ledge, aiming and looking for an elite and then firing two bursts at the suspected elite. One volley landed but the second missed, depleting his shields and making the elite stagger back into cover. "Nelson let's go!" Cook yelled out to him
Nelson threw his weapon over and then prepared to leap over. A whiz flew past Jared and Nelson yelped in pain as he flew in the air. Jared outstretched his arm to grab his arm but missed, Nelson fell to the ground. Jared leaned over the ledge and saw Nelson laying with a bright pink needle sticking out from his leg. Suddenly the shard exploded violently ripping his leg from his body. Jared looked up to see an elite down the hallway they had come from. He lifted his rifle and began shooting down the hallway. Bullets ripped through it's shields and caught it in the knee, sending it to the ground. "Nelson's down!" Jared called out to the others. Englewood, who was watching their escape route, now shifted to look over the ledge where Nelson laid. "Jesus Christ, we gotta get him out of there," Englewood said. "He's right beside the door, Cook and I can run out and pull him in, keep an eye on him." he said pointing to the sangheili who was still leaning against the wall. "Barnes can you see the elites?" he asked over the radio. "Barely, i might be able to get a few shots in, it'll be threading the needle" he responded. "Anything better than nothing, cover us. We're going to get Nelson." he replied and ran down the stairs to the first floor. Jared looked at the sangheili then at the window.
Barnes fired four shots between the space between the two buildings, he could just barely see past the corner of the building, pushing them further and further back, he reloaded and took aim. Looking down at his sight he saw an elite trying to inch closer to the corner and fired, the round went clean through it's shields and it's skull, dropping like a fly.
Watching the elites body fall past the corner of the building, Englewood kicked the front door open and grabbed Nelson by his collar and drug him inside. "Jared lets go!" he yelled up the stairs.
Jared looked at the sangheili "you're coming with us" he said telling him to stand up. "Mind telling me your name?" he asked as he stood "Zoso 'Nusam, i am a nobody" he said. "Well congratulations Zoso 'Nusam, you're being liberated." Jared said, leading him down the stairs "interesting way to liberate someone" he said back. "What are you doing with him?" Englewood asked "we don't have time to deal with him" he protested he said looking out a crack in the door and firing a few shots. "He's an asset" Jared said, "he stays with us" he finished making his way to the door. Cook picked Nelson's body off the floor and put him over his shoulders. Jared threw the door open and glanced down both ways down the street, despite the gunfire just minutes prior, the roads were completely silent. Before he could cross sirens started wailing, "well now they all know you are here" Zoso said "quiet, go" Jared responded grabbing Zoso's arm and running across the street. Cook ran across, carrying Nelson on his shoulder, and then Englewood. "We don't have time to deal with him," Englewood said, pointing to Zoso 'Nusam. "We have to get Nelson back, he's already lost a lot of blood" he continued changing his view from the sangheili to Cook and Nelson. "I can carry him" Zoso said, trying to gesture to Cook who already looked exhausted from carrying him across the street. "Put the cuffs in front, i still don't trust him but at this point it's our only option." Englewood said undoing one of the cuffs and moving his hands in front of him, Zoso gave no resistance as he did so, still annoyed to be in handcuffs but glad he could feel his arms again. Zoso grabbed Nelson from Cook and put him over his shoulder, the blood from his missing leg oozed down his plainclothes, he sighed in disgust "you offered, now let's go" Jared urged. They began running and the sirens faded. "Barnes get the Warthog ready, we're going to need a quick escape." The Sargent said as they crossed another street, no time for the tacticalities of crossing one by one. Crossing one street, streams of green plasma struck the ground. A loud crack echoed and the elite that fired fell off the building he stood. "Copy, on our way back" Barnes said over the radio.
After running past road after road they reached the end of the buildings, the sirens a faint tear in the night sky, a ten foot wide gap stood between them and the camps. The number of patrolling guards seemed to multiply tenfold. Jared readjusted the sight on his rifle, scanning the forest floor for any unguarded areas. "I don't think we'll be able to get through without getting caught. But stealth is almost out the window" he said lowering his rifle and giving a defeated sigh. "We could go in guns blazing, or make an attempt to execute anyone who gets in our way." Cook said pulling out his knife. "I'd much rather not draw more attention to ourselves." Jared responded. "Despite your expected best efforts, we are going to have to kill some if we want to get through." Cook said taking a step forward in defense. "Don't make me pull rank here, this mission wasn't supposed to go down this way and I can guarantee you that the siege attempt of this place isn't going to go well either." Jared said, Jared still hated his rank but if he was the one running the show, he was going to assure it stayed under his control. "Would you two just shut up for a second and think like actual adults?" Englewood said and peered out a crack in the door, ensuring nobody heard them. "We will just have to be slow and silent through. If we run into a guard and have to cross that bridge, then we will. But for now, stay quiet and stay low" he said opening the door and making a run for it behind a tent. Cook looked at Jared angrily and ran. Jared looked at Zoso and gave a disappointed sigh "after you" Jared said to him. Zoso charged out, trying to keep a grip on Nelson on his shoulder, Jared followed shortly after.
Ducked behind trees and makeshift tents "were going to have to split up, we've got no sniper cover, you get caught, you gotta deal with it yourselves" Englewood said and slipped into the shadows, cook followed in his footsteps. "You're still sticking with me" Jared whispered to the sangheili, Zoso nodded with a grunt. He began sneaking through the forest, ducking past tents and through trees. Zoso followed in his footsteps. Jared didn't trust him behind him, but with all things considered, Jared didn't have much of a choice to have him behind him. Though uncomfortable of the situation, Jared continued through the treeline and the scattered tents. Zoso followed close behind. "Shit, one ahead of us" Jared said as he readied his rifle. "Wait" the sangheili said, placing the limp body of Nelson on the ground. "You'll only attract more attention" he said as he stood up and picked a rock up almost as big as Jared's chest and charged at the Elite, smashing the rock into its head. The shield flickered as the rock slammed against his head, sending him to the floor. Zoso continued to hit his head until the Elites body fell completely limp. He dropped the rock, his shoulders lifted and dropped from his heavy breathing. He turned around and picked Nelson up. Now covered in blue and red blood he insisted they continued forward. They continued towards the rendezvous point.
Making it back after the others had returned both Barnes and Dwight both looked equally as pissed off as they were impressed. "Why is he here and why is he carrying Nelson?" Dwight said taking Nelson off Zoso and carried his body towards the Warthog. "He's on our side" Jared said defiantly. Dwight turned around and attempted to punch Jared but Barnes jumped in the way. "It's not worth it man, it ain't his fault" he said and he pulled him back. Jared stood like stone as he pulled him back. "He is sangheili, he is the enemy!" he yelled out as Barnes pulled him behind the Warthog. Though Jared defended the Sangheili, he didn't trust him just yet, Jared looked at Zoso, his head bowed low. Seeming he already knew his stance on him. They all loaded up, Englewood drove with Dwight beside him, the rest sat in the back. Nelson beside Cook and Jared beside Zoso. Nobody said a word for the first few hours. But the ride was long and eventually everyone began talking. Zoso took out his book and began writing with the small charcoal pen inside. Jared didn't bother to look, he wasn't one to meddle in others businesses unless he had no choice. He, out of curiosity would glance over but couldn't make up what he was writing about. Jared let out a sigh and closed his eyes for some rest