A/N: Yeah, sorry it's been so long, but I've been kinda forgetful when I went to friend's houses. Anyways, you guys get two chapters this time as a bonus. Enjoy!
Chapter 6
Ok, just don't panic, I thought to myself. If everyone else sees you panic, they'll start worrying and they'll be less effective. You have to keep your cool. Besides, it may be friendlies on the way. But if it's not, the mission will be in serious jeopardy. I decided to put my helmet back on, since it wouldn't betray my thoughts.
"Sir, I say that we focus on repairing the Phantom and let Colonel worry about those cruisers," Johnson suggested. Everyone else around us seemed to agree.
"I couldn't have said it better myself. Arbiter, get your men working on that Phantom. Everyone else, remain on alert for more Flood. We don't want to be caught off-guard."
"Henson, can I ask you a question?" Miranda asked. I looked over at her and said,
"Didn't really give me much choice there, did you?" She gave me a confused look. "Forget it. Yes, ask away."
"What happens if…" I waved my hand to keep her from finishing, because I didn't want to imagine what the answer would be.
"No, you can't ask a 'what if' question. I hate our situation enough without thinking of the bad, okay?"
"Never mind, then." I don't like this at all, I thought as I walked to the Phantom project. Too many things are out of my hands.
"Everyone, listen up! If you're not directly helping with the repairs of the Phantom, you either need to be on the lookout for Flood, searching for supplies, or fortifying the area. I'll leave you to decide which one you're going to do, but there needs to be quite a few watching for Flood. If there are not enough volunteers, there will be victims. As you were." Davis walked up to me, holding the radio.
"Sir, it's the Colonel. He wants to speak to you." I took the radio and heard Colonel's voice.
"Lieutenant, I have some good news for you. Those two cruisers were controlled by rebels and I have explained our situation to them. They want the Arbiter back, so they're sending a few Phantoms to pick you and your whole team up. You'll be going to their ship, seeing as how we've already docked with them."
"Thanks for telling me, sir. What's their ETA?"
"They told me about twenty minutes, so you should have time to pack up."
"Tell them we'll be ready for them. Over and out." I then heard Cummins say something to Davis, so I turned around.
"Oh, shit. You mean they're coming now? Tell the crew working on the Phantom, I'll tell the Lieutenant," Davis replied. She turned around to find me right there.
"You'll tell the Lieutenant what, Davis?" I asked.
"Sir, there's a big ass group of Flood heading our way. You've got to tell everyone to get ready."
"No need to tell everyone. Get the Hunters and four turrets. That should hold them off. Since we're on the defensive now, we have the advantage."
"Yes, sir. Hunters! Marines! Grab the turrets and come with me! You coming, sir?"
"Hell yeah! You think I'd miss a chance to kill something? Johnson, Keyes, you're free to join in whenever you want." I sprinted off, getting back into the zone as I ran. Once I got to our defensive position, I heard the high-pitched wail of the Hunters' fuel rod cannons as they unleashed a deadly hail of plasma beams on the Flood. I drew my pistol in my right hand and my knife in my left hand. Bring it on, I thought to myself as they closed in.