Authors Note: Hey Guys. Minion again. Monday, I learned that an idol of mine died. Monty Oum. I really looked up to the dude. It kind of hit me hard but he still inspired me to work on a few projects that I've been putting off. So after this, you may not see anything from OurGuild(unless we get new members) for a while. So enjoy the last couple chapters of the story. Read, enjoy, review!
Bray Road
Hunted
-PFC Thomas Bortels-
-Fireteam Echo 12-
-Location: Elkhorn, Wisconsin, United Republic of North America: November 15, 2552-
-Time: 1815-
The team moved silently through the dark forest. They were moving at a faster pace than when they arrived, albeit, not much faster. They still had to be careful. Even if Richard and Leon's coms were out, something tore open those brutes and massacred those soldiers. They didn't want to end up like the others.
"What's the plan for evac Gunny?"
Thomas asked as he kept his eyes peeled for anything in the shadows.
"Once we rendezvous with Brown and Michaels, I'm going to call in a pelican. Several other Echo fireteams are nearby in the town. They should have successfully eliminated all enemy presence by now. They'll be able to provide backup and a proper escort while we bring this back to headquarters."
"Rodger that."
Thomas said. That could be good. If they got locked down in a firefight, any help would be welcome. Though judging by how many covenant and humans were killed by whatever was out there. Of course, he couldn't say that there was something for sure, but he believed that there was something out there. He could feel it. Like something was watching them. Hunting them.
Thomas glanced back at Gabrielle. She was scared. He knew it. So were a lot of the fireteam. Some just hid it better than others. Those like Mitch and Gunny were good at hiding their emotions. Those like Thomas and Ray were able to somewhat hide their fear to try and put the others at ease. However, new blood like Elise and Gabriel were not used to it. They had little experience in fighting the alien threat and the horrors of war. Still. One way or another, this war was going to end soon.
-PFC Ginny Shawcross-
-Fireteam Echo 12-
-Location: Elkhorn, Wisconsin, United Republic of North America: November 15, 2552-
-Time: 1825-
Ginny had been with Fireteam Echo 12 for a while. Originally she had had her own unit. One with close friends and comrades. Still. She was glad that she was picked up by Echo unit. As her friends that survived the first wave of attacks were picked off in combat, she found herself making new friends. Thomas and Mitch were some of the first that she met. Actually, Thomas, Gunny, Mitch, Ray, and Leon were part of the original squad. She remembered Leon laughing, welcoming, and thanking her because he was no longer the newbie of the group. Ray and Thomas made her feel at home and even the silent Mitch had a welcoming persona. Then others like Wade and Gabrielle joined. The group became close. They laughed, ate, and slept together. However, they weren't enough to cover the pain of losing her first unit. The ones that she had worked with for most of her career. Her best friends. He sisters in all but blood. Her fiancé...
Even if she survived the war, nothing would be the same. Then again, nobody would remain intact.
She suddenly heard a snap of a twig behind her and she spun around only to have a black mass barrel over her. She let out a cry as she dropped her assault rifle. Wade spun around with a shout but it was too late. She saw it lunge at him and Wade's shout cut short. Ginny fumbled for her sidearm and aimed quickly before opening fire. She kept firing as it turned on her. Before she knew it, she felt teeth closing around her neck. Before her vision faded, she could have sworn she heard the name of her fiancé calling to her.
Don't worry. I'm coming Harold.
-PFC Mitch Hudson-
-Fireteam Echo 12-
-Location: Elkhorn, Wisconsin, United Republic of North America: November 15, 2552-
-Time: 1830-
Mitch Hudson was a simple man. He never talked much but always supported his friends.
He was the strongest in the squad. Whenever they required heavy weapons such as rocket launchers or similar weapons, he always carried them. Everyone relied on him that way. Now was no exception.
The mission seemed easy enough. Rescue any survivors while several other fire teams engaged the enemy in a nearby town to draw their fire. They arrived and found nothing out of the ordinary. Sure the phantom was down, but that could be attributed to a lucky shot.
Then they go to the destroyed warthog. Whatever did that wasn't normal. It could be attributed to a particularly hairy brute, but that was not probable. Then Tom found the dead brute. This could have been insubordination or another brute going rogue. Once again, not probable. There was an incredibly small chance of a bear attack but he never saw any evidence of bears around.
Then they found the clearing. Covenant and human all ravaged on the ground, throats torn out or just plain mutilated. That was when he was sure that they weren't dealing with anything normal. He briefly remembered Richard's comment about a monster in the woods. Now it seemed to be more likely. His gut told him something was about to happen. Something bad.
There was a shout coming from their left. It was followed by gunfire before it was silenced.
/Shawcross! Kruz! Report!/
Mitch heard Gunny's voice over the radio.
/Shawcross! Kruz! Respond!/
Mitch really hated it when his gut was right.
/Damnit. Everyone. Watch your backs. We don't know if they got it or not but we don't have the man power to check. Hudson. Bandley. Regroup with us as quick as you can./
/Rodger that./
Ray responded.
"Let's go."
He said to Mitch who nodded. Mitch kept a hand on his rifle and reached down to his belt before grabbing something and bringing it back up right below his rifle. The two made their way towards the main group. He heard the sound of rustling behind him and whirled around, pulling the trigger of his MA5. Something rammed into him and Mitch's vision went black.