Chapter 6: Improvised Plan
Location: 500 meters below the planet's surface in service tunnel G out of holding cell.
Neaola Roscal
"YOU MUST BE WRONG!" Neaola screamed at the doctor, not believing what he said. "I can't be…PREGNANT!"
The doctor stood up and helped Neaola to her feet, she winced as the doctor pulled her upright and let her lean on him for support. "I'm sorry Neaola but you are."
"How am I going to explain this to Chackrol? Well that's if I survive long enough to tell him." Neaola thought to herself as the doctor said something.
"You need some rest, what ever happened to you seems to have effected your egg sac. So lets get you…"
Neaola shook her head and pushed the doctor away, wincing again. "There's no way I'm sitting this out, not when my husband needs me."
The doctor started looking concerned again and tried to reason with her. "There's no way you could effectively fight in your state, you'll only be a burden."
Neaola snarled at him "I'll be more of a burden sitting around doing nothing" she also added "And besides I've been through worse. I didn't go through an entire 25 years of war, just to be beaten by pregnancy. That would just be insulting."
The doctor just rolled his eyes and shook his head in annoyance, but he didn't try and talk her out of it anymore. "You are one stubborn woman. You know that?"
Neaola just laughed as she said "Yeah, that's just like what my husband tells me." More pain went through her body. It was getting worse. "Hey do you have any painkillers doc?"
The doctor crossed his arms and saying in an overly cheerful voice. "Oh sure, just let me pull out my med kit from under this conveniently placed block of ice."
Neaola just narrowed her eyes and frowned at him saying. "Oh ha ha, you're so funny. Do you want broken teeth?"
He just chuckled and said. "The medical room isn't far from here but the Sangheili have it locked up."
Neaola went over to the body of the Sangheili guard and picked up his weapon. It was an old needle rifle that had seen better days, but it would do the trick. Neaola checked its ammo. It was half empty. "Well," she clamped the rifle shut "Lets go get some medicine."
Before she could take a step the doctor said. "Maybe we should bring some help with us, just in case you pass out or something."
Still frowning she looked around and saw the rest of the Keg Yar who were collecting tools and mining equipment as weaponry. Then she had an idea. "Hey you lot, listen up" she called out pointing at each of them. They stopped and looked in her direction. "I just learned I've got a kid on the way and I have a headache. That means I need painkillers, and the only ones around are in the med area, which is crawling with those Sangheili bastards." Neaola lifted her rifle onto her shoulder and added. "There's also a crate of old weapons in there too, so unless you like getting shot, you'll help me out." And with that she walked down the tunnel leading to the med area, and she was happy to see her Keg Yar kin were doing the same.
Location: 500 meters below the planet's surface in drilling chamber.
15 minutes later
Chackrol Roscal
"So" Ral said "You are telling me you have been mining down here for about a year looking for some forerunner structure 500 meters beneath the ice of this planet?"
"Yes" Chackrol whispered.
"And you're close to getting there?" Ral asked.
"Well" Chackrolsneered. "I would be if you bastards hadn't showed up."
Ral punched him in the stomach and unlocked the clamps holding him to the wall, letting Chackrol fall to the ground. "I would ask where you got this information but I don't have time, so you will show me your progress on this new tunnel." Ral stepped back and a Sangheili Ultra came and hauled Chackrol to his feet. Then the Ultra poked a standard plasma rifle in Chackrol's back, making him move forward. They went to the entrance of a freshly drilled out tunnel that was 10 meters long and 5 meters wide. "By all means, lead the way." Ral said not really asking.
Chackrol went first, with the Ultra behind him and Ral in the back. It only took them two minutes to reach the end of the tunnel, where a massive mining drill lay still and dormant. The thing was of human design, so it broke from time to time, and lucky for Chackrol the drill had broken down again and would stay that way for the foreseeable future. "Its behind this wall of ice." Chackrol said, eyeing over his shoulder at the Ultra who poked him as soon as he turned. "Such a shame the drill's out. Oh well, guess you can't get in then." Chackrol added, letting the sarcasm enter his voice.
For some reason Ral just smiled, and that actually scared Chackrol more than anything. "Well, there are other means of getting through a wall, and I know just what to do."
"What are you planning to do?" Chackrol asked, as his worry increased. He could easily overpower the Ultra, but Ral would get away and he'd be trapped at the bottom of this tunnel, so he thought better of it, at least for now. He'd keep his promise to Neaola.
"Lets just say," smirked Ral, breaking Chackrol from his thoughts, "It has an explosive, result."
Location: 470 meters below the planets surface in the dark tunnels
Jackson 001
"Wow that's a long time." Jackson said after Char had finished his story of how he and his family had funded this whole mining thing. "I must say, it's impressive how much of this you've done in one year. Once again the Keg Yar surprise me."
Char just shrugged, saying with a sheepish grin. "Well it's not just us, that Sangheili, Chackrol- the one my sister married, he's the one that made all this possible. For a Sangheili he's not that bad."
"How did he meet your sister?" Sil asked walking beside Jackson with her Grunt friends close behind.
"That's a question you'd be better asking Neaola, it's none of my business." Char stated looking over his shoulder.
The group reached the end of the tunnel and found that it split off in two directions. "Well shit" Jackson swore, as he looked down both tunnels "This could cause problems. Which way is the drilling chamber?"
Keg Yar didn't tend to leave signs up telling someone where to go. Char turned to face Jackson and simply said. "They both do."
No one could see Jackson expression, but it was one of surprise. "Wait, really?" he asked pointing in both ways. "Both lead to the drilling chamber?"
"Yes." Char answered, a pleased expression on his reptilian face. "I would have never thought of it, but Chackrol insisted we mine two tunnels in case one collapsed."
"That's some clever thinking." Jackson stated as he came up with a plan. "You know, this gives me an idea."
"Oh no." Sil said, putting a hand on her face. "Not another one of your plans."
"Trust me." Jackson said in a cheerful voice "This one will work."
Jackson had told them his plan after he got Char to give him some details on the chambers layout. Jackson, Char and Raskal would take the tunnel that lead to the bottom of the drilling chamber and Sil, Flip Yum and Nip Nap would take the one that lead to the catwalks above. "I don't know" Raskal stated, scratching his scaly chin. "This plan seems too… simple."
"We'll improvise." Jackson said getting to his feet and checking his guns ammo. "Humans are good at that sort of thing."
"Just don't do anything stupid." Sil remarked. "You've already hurt yourself once. Try and be more careful this time."
Jackson turned to Sil and before she could react, he shot forward and put her in a headlock. "I could say the same for you pip squeak." He retorted as he ruffled up her hair.
"HEY! Stop it." Sil squirmed for a bit before Jackson let her go. She rubbed her head and let her two bottom jaws drop down as if to say 'that's not funny'.
Jackson just chuckled at that and said. "You just stay safe, ok."
Sil brought her hand up and did a witty salute. "They won't even see me coming. Come on you two." She finished saying to the two Grunts and with that, Sil, Flip and Nip disappeared down the tunnel.
"Come on, let's go." Jackson said after a moment and they made their way down the passage.
After a while Jackson, Char and Raskal reached the bottom of the tunnel. Jackson saw the ground was a lot smoother and flatter than the other tunnels, and unlike the other tunnels, this one was lit up by some standard floodlights. There were crates along the tunnel so if they run into any Sangheili, they had enough to hide behind. "Ok" Jackson whispered "Keep the your noise to a minimum, move out." The two males nodded and they moved down the tunnel, staying low and ready. Jackson bent low and moved forward keeping his eyes sharp, reading the motion tracker in his HUD for any hostiles. They reached a cut in the wall, making a second tunnel.
"That's the way to the drilling chamber." Char pointed out as he crept up beside Jackson. "That's where they have Chakrol and maybe Neaola too."
Jackson brought a hand up to his helmet and called Sil. "Sil where are you, are you there yet?"
A second later and Sil's voice came trough "Not yet, why, you already there?"
"No not yet I'll keep you updated."
"So what was the plan again?" Raskal asked not sounding confident.
"Well" Jackson admitted, "That's the thing, I don't really have one yet."
"Oh, that's just wonderful, a human without a plan." Raskal said, seemingly frustrated at Jackson.
Jackson just ignored him and peeked around the corner to see a force field blocking the path. "Shit" Jackson swore under his breath. "This complicates things."
Location: 480 meters below the planet's surface in the second tunnel leading to the drill chamber.
38 minutes earlier
Sil
Sil had been going down the tunnel for 30 minutes now and she was getting bored of Flip and Nip talking about some kind of cheese thing they were obsessed with. "Ohhh, for the love of god will you two shut up about cheese?!" Sil finally growled keeping her voice down so as not to draw attention to them and alert any nearby hostiles.
"Sorry." Nip whispered.
"Yeah sowy." Flip whispered too.
Sil was about to apologise for getting angry, when her earpiece went off.
"Sil where are you, are you there yet?"
Sil put a hand on her ear and said. "Not yet, why, you already there?"
"No not yet, I'll keep you updated." Sil's uncle finished and went silent.
Sil looked at her two Grunts and said "Come on, let's go."
A few more meters and Sil, Flip and Nip reached the end of the tunnel. The tunnel ended in a curve and around the curve Sil spotted two blue-armoured Sangheili guarding an opening, which Sil assumed led to the drilling chamber's catwalks. One was leaning on the wall and looking at the ground, where the other was standing up straight but not looking in Sil's direction. Instead, he was looking in to the opening. Sil could hear them talking, but didn't understand what they were saying. They were speaking in a form of Sangheili she didn't recognise and even though Sil was Sangheili, she hadn't spoken her native tongue since she was six years old. Sil ducked back around the corner and spoke to Flip and Nip. "Ok we got two blue one just around the corner." Sil whispered. "I'm going to deal with them while you two stay here, got it." The two Grunts didn't argue with that and just nodded.
Sil brought up the cloaking device she had stuck to her wrist guard and pressed the button rending her invisible. Sil silently turned the corner and approached the two Sangheili who were still talking.
Sil got close enough that she could hear them clearly now and she was starting to recognise some of their speech.
"This cold slows me." The one leaning on the wall said rubbing his arms. "Why we even here?"
The one looking into the drilling chamber turned and looked at his friend saying in a tired voice. "I have no idea. Master Ral said it's important."
Sil had gotten close now, close enough to use her throwing knifes. She was about to kill them both at the same time when the standing one said. "I just want to go home and see my wife again, just to see her face once more before I die."
The one leaning on the wall stood up and patted his friend on the shoulder saying. "Oh don't be like that, we be home soon enough you see."
Sil couldn't do it. She couldn't kill someone after hearing that it just felt wrong, but she had to get rid of them somehow. Just when she thought it was impossible the two of them started to move away and went down some sort of ladder and were now gone. Sil let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding and let her hand drop away from her knifes. "This is getting too tense." Sil thought to herself as she turned off her cloak. Sil looked back to see Flip and Nip poking their heads around the corner. She waved for them to come over and they did so, quickly hopping over to stand next to her.
"Why you no kill them?" Nip asked seeming puzzled.
"It doesn't matter now lets just get in the chamber" Sil stated, staying low as she moved forward.
Inside the drilling chamber Sil could now get in her head the actual size of the place. She was about 20 meters off the ground below, suspended by a metal catwalk covered in tools and crates. Sil moved up and hid behind a crate that let her see the entire room. There was a small amount of Sangheili in the chamber moving crates of weapons, making defences and some just milling about. What caught Sil's eye was a big Sangheili in gold armour standing at the side of a tunnel entrance, where several other Sangheili were coming out of, all in red armour. Then two more came out behind them and Sil could tell the one in the big silver armour with a rather large helmet, was the one in charge. But the other one was completely different, in fact he was the first Sangheili Sil had ever seen with out armour. Unlike Sil's skin, a tannish brown, his skin was a rocky grey and he was completely bald with black clothing. But what made him the most different was that the right side of his body was robotic.
"That must be Chackrol." Sil said pointing so Flip and Nip could see. "But where's Neaola?"
Before Sil could take another look her earpiece went off again "Sil we have a problem." It was her uncle.
"What kind of problem?" Sil replied.
"We're out side of the drilling chamber's main entrance but we're blocked by an energy shield."
Sil looked to the right of the room and saw a shield blocking the entrance. "Well lucky for you I'm already inside. So what do you need me to do?"
"Nothing yet. Tell me what's in there first?"
Sil took one more sweep of the room before speaking. "A lot of Sangheili, including Chackrol and two leader types."
"Can you tell me what they look like?" her uncle asked.
"One has big gold armour with a horn like helmet, and the other has bigger silver armour with a large crest shaped helmet." Sil described.
"Hhmm, ok you sit tight I'll…"
There was an explosion that shook the catwalk, almost making Sil fall over. "What the hell just happened!?" Sil's uncle demanded in alarm.
"I…I don't know I think they…I think they just blew up a tunnel."
As Sil regained her balance she watched as the Sangheili in red marched back down the tunnel they just came from. Sil also saw Chackrol being shoved forward by an Ultra with the silver Sangheili right behind.
"They're going in a tunnel and they're taking Chackrol with them." Sil said to her uncle as the last of the group disappeared and going to whatever they blew up.
"Who's left in the chamber?" Sil's uncle asked.
Sil saw there were some Sangheili still in the chamber. "Some blue ones and a white one." Sil also saw the gold one. "And the gold one is still here."
"Ok that's all I needed to know. Get ready to blow the shield when I say."
Sil took out her bow and attached an arrow. She flexed her injured arm and pulled back the string. "Ready when you are."
Jackson 001
"Get ready to blow the shield when I say." Jackson took out two frag grenades and got ready. Jackson looked over his shoulder and saw Char and Raskal ready to go too.
"Ready when you are." Sil said through his helmets speakers.
"Do it."
Jackson heard an explosion and when he looked around the corner the shield was gone.
Jackson sprang from his squat position and rounded the corner. He threw the grenades at the Sangheili who were still confused at what had just happened and then dove for cover. The grenades went off with a loud bang. Shrapnel and body parts flew in all directions as the Sangheili went crazy. Char and Raskal charged in after the explosions and opened fired. Jackson took cover behind some crates as plasma bolts whizzed past him just skimming his shields. A Sangheili in Ultra armour charged at Jackson's cover with an energy sword in his hand, roaring as he ran at him. The Sangheili didn't get far as an arrow imbedded itself in the Sangheili's chest armour.
The Sangheili still standing, looked at the arrow as it started beeping. The Sangheili cried out in panic as he dropped the energy sword and tried to pull the arrow out. Too late, the Sangheili exploded into a purple mess as body parts flew everywhere. Jackson looked up and saw Sil already pulling back another arrow. Char and Raskal had gotten themselves pinned down behind some crates and the Sangheili were getting closer to them. Jackson was out of grenades so he called Sil "Sil give me some cover." He came out of cover and charged the Sangheili and it was only then did they actually see him. One of them cried out in English saying a single word Jackson had heard too many times in the past.
"DEMON!"
Jackson filled the Sangheili's face with plasma as he charged right into the group. Jackson flipped his gun in his hands used it like a club smacking one Sangheili so hard he sent him flying head over heels. Jackson threw his gun away, took one step back and backwards kicked another in the stomach, knocking the Sangheili to the ground. In the same move Jackson pulled his sword from its sheath and blocked the energy sword of a big gold Sangheili Sil had been talking about before. He jumped to the side as the gold Sangheili swung his sword at Jackson's face. Jackson came in with his own swings, pairing and blocking the gold ones own attacks. Jackson saw in his peripheral vision the other Sangheili holding back as they watched him and the gold one fight. Char and Raskal were still firing at two Sangheili who hadn't stopped to watch the gold one fight Jackson. This Sangheili was skilled Jackson had to give him that, every strike and block was perfectly controlled but he had a weakness, he was too impatient. He didn't pace himself and Jackson could tell he was losing his cool as his attacks became wilder and less controlled. Jackson spun and kicked the gold one in the face hard enough to make his energy shield flare. The gold Sangheili stumbled back and Jackson tried to finish him but the Sangheili holding back suddenly moved and blocked him from their leader. They all had their swords out now and were trying to cut Jackson apart. Jackson ducked and rolled out the way of one over eager Sangheili's clumsy swing, which instead cut one of his own allies heads off. As the young Sangheili stood in shock at what he'd done Jackson took the opportunity to drive his blade into the Sangheili's throat. The young Sangheili had no chance as Jackson's blade cut through his throat causing him to fall to the ground and writhe on his back as his blood flowed from his open wound. Two more came at Jackson at the same time and tried to over whelm him. But one took an arrow to the face sending the Sangheili tumbling over. Now there was just one looking at Jackson with growing fear in his eyes as he realised he was going to die. Jackson slowly moved forward, purple blood dripping from his sword and his helmet's visor staring straight at the terrified Sangheili. The Sangheili was nothing but a kid, barley an adult and he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Sangheili dropped his blade and started to back away when another blade went through his back and out his chest. Jackson watched in horror as the gold Sangheili pulled his sword out of the young Sangheili's back and let him fall to the ground.
"Coward." The gold Sangheili spat. "Better off dead."
Jackson's anger was boiling now as looked at the dead Sangheili's body. "He was just a kid who wanted to live and you just killed him." Jackson shouted. "He was unarmed and you killed him. You're the coward." He spat pointing his sword at the gold Sangheili.
That made the gold Sangheili angry as he shot forward and once more they were locked in single combat.
Sil
Sil had been doing well up to this point, her uncle had killed all but one of the Sangheili who was just standing scared out of his mind, and Sil couldn't blame him. Sil hoped her uncle would spare him but the gold Sangheili chose for him. Sil felt a ping of sadness as she watched the poor Sangheili's body fall face down on the ground and lay still. Sil wanted to put an arrow in the gold ones face but he had already started fighting uncle Jack again and she didn't want to hit her uncle. But before she could wait for a clear shot Sil felt something hit off her shield. "Shit." She swore as she ducked behind her crate. Plasma bolts hit off her cover as Flip and Nip also in cover were now firing their plasma pistols at two Sangheili who had come up the ladder again. They were the same ones who were guarding the chamber's top entrance and now they were coming for her and the Grunts. Sil had to think of something quick before they came too close. She could go invisible but then they would go for Flip and Nip and she didn't want that. "Think Sil think." She muttered to herself as her panic increased. Sil spotted some rope and had an idea. She grabbed the bundle of rope and guessed it was long enough.
"You two." Sil called out to the two Grunts.
"Huh." One of them squeaked.
"Take this rope." Sil ordered as she tied the other end to the banister. "Ok now jump."
"WHAT!?" Nip and Flip said at the same time.
"I'm giving you the chance to save yourselves now go."
Flip and Nip just looked at her but didn't argue. Soon both of them zipped down the rope to the ground below. Sil went invisible just as the two Sangheili rounded the crates and went to fire. Sil dove in-between them and did a sweeping kick causing them to fall over. Sil then kicked their weapons out of their grips sending them over the edge and to the ground below. One of them swung his arm at Sil's invisible leg, causing her to fall over. The same one tried to get on top of her but Sil brought her leg up and delivered a hard kick to his face, making his head snap back, purple blood shooting from his mouth. He kept stumbling back and bumped off the banister causing him to flip over and fall to his death. The last one had found Sil's leg and grabbed it stopping her from kicking him as well. He also managed to get on top of Sil, pining her to the spot. Sil swung her arms at him cutting his face with her claws. He grunted as Sil cut him but that let him know where her arms were. He knocked them to the sides and punched her in the face. As she was dazed it gave him the time to find her throat and then started choking her. Sil's eyes went wide as she couldn't breath, the Sangheili's strong grip slowly suffocating her. Sil kicked her legs as she started to panic, black dots started to appear in her vision, the first signs of oxygen starvation. Sil felt her limbs get heavier and her heart beat getting slower. Suddenly her cloak turned off and now she could see her blurry hands clawing at the Sangheili's arms. Suddenly he let go of Sil, letting her breathed in a lung full of air. She coughed violently over and over till she caught her breath. Sil gripped her burning throat and slowly opened her eyes. The Sangheili looked at her with shock and confusion on his face, his four-way jaw hung open.
"You're…Sangheili!?" He said still shocked. "But...how is that…" He didn't get a chance to finish as a bolt of green plasma struck him in the chest.
Sil looked back and from her up side down view she could see Nip Nap holding his smoking plasma pistol. "Nip…hate…ladders." He panted, methane gas smoking out his breathing mask. He looked at her then looked at the Sangheili in front of her.
Sil looked up and saw the Sangheili getting up again, he had a large black spot on his chest armour were Nip's plasma bolt hit him. Before Sil let him recover she stood up, grabbed his head and with all her strength kneed him in the face. Sil felt his four-way jaw break under the impact of her knee and as she let him go he slowly fell onto his back and lay there.
Sil fell over again and lay there breathing heavily. "I almost died again. "Sil thought. She heard Nip scuttle over to her and was now standing over her.
"Hey are you ok?" Nip asked looking over her.
Sil sat up and hugged him. "Thank you." She wept. "You saved my life."
"Uh your welcome?" Nip said awkwardly.
Sil opened her eyes and saw her uncle still fighting the gold Sangheili. "Shit!" she yelled. "Uncle Jack is still fighting that monster!" She tried to look for her bow but it was nowhere to be seen.
Jackson 001
Jackson's injured shoulder was getting tired now his swings had less impact and the gold Sangheili knew it. The Sangheili pressed his attack driving Jackson back with deadly swings. Jackson tripped on the body of a Sangheili and fell over. The gold Sangheili loomed over him smiling, blood lust in his eyes. The Sangheili was about to finish Jackson when Char and Raskal open fired on him. The gold Sangheili turned and blocked their shot with his sword. He then charged at them, grabbing Raskal by the throat and throwing him into a wall were he slumped to the ground dazed. He then turned on Char who was still shooting into the Sangheili's chest but his shields were too strong. Char's rifle clicked empty as the gold Sangheili drove his blade into Char's stomach. "NO!" Jackson cried out as he got to his feet and ran at the Sangheili bastard. The Sangheili pulled his blade out of Char and kicked him knocking Char to the ground. The Sangheili turned and grabbed Jackson's throat stopping him in his tracks. The Sangheili kneed him in the groin knocking the wind out of Jackson then he head butted Jackson in the face causing him to fall over onto his back. Jackson dropped his sword and it clattered away from him, now the Sangheili was over him putting a boot on Jackson's chest.
"Now you die demon." The gold Sangheili spat and brought his blade up for the killing blow.
Jackson tried to move but he was still dizzy, he could only watch as the Sangheili
brought up his blade. Then a red line appeared on the gold Sangheili's chest. The Sangheili only had a second to look at his chest before a massive lazar tore through him leaving a massive hole in the Sangheili's golden armour. The Sangheili's arms went limp, dropping his energy blade. He gasped once then fell face first on top of Jackson.
Jackson pushed the dead body off of him and stood up flexing his injured shoulder. He turned his head and saw Neaola with a Spartan laser at the entrance of the chamber.
"Did you start a party with out me?" Neaola said grinning. "Cause it looks like you've had a lot of fun." Neaola walked over to Jackson, gave him her weapon and then kicked the dead gold Sangheili's face. "THAT'S FOR STANDING ON MY UNBORN CHILDREN. You SON OF A BITCH!"
Jackson put down the weapon and moved passed Neaola and ran over to Char who was lying on the ground holding his stomach "Char!" Jackson called out in alarm.
"CHAR!?" Neaola was now running over to Char's side. She propped him up and let him lay on her knee and was starting to ramble. "Speak to me you little shit, don't die on me don't you dare."
"Owww h oho take it easy!" Char yelled in pain as his sister held him up. "I'm not dead yet. SHIT THAT HURTS!"
Jackson was amazed that Char wasn't dead let alone still able to breath. "You're one lucky Keg Yar you know that right." Jackson chuckled as he patted Char on the shoulder. "That would have killed most people."
Char grunted as he looked at his legs "Not that lucky. I…I can't feel my legs."
Jackson looked at Char's legs and then looked at Char's wound. He put a hand around Char's back and pressed it with two fingers. Char cried out in agony as Jackson found what he expected. "The blade missed your organs but it didn't miss your spine. I'm sorry Char but you won't walk again."
Char looked at him, his face plain. But Neaola wasn't as calm "What are you saying he's crippled?"
"Yes sis." Char answered for Jackson "I am and I'm probably going to die anyway."
"No you're not. You know why" Neaola made Char look at her. "Cause you're going to be an uncle."
Char's eyes went wide as he looked at Neaola "You're kidding. No, no you're not, oh my…"
Suddenly Raskal appeared rubbing his neck. "Did you say he's going to be an uncle?"
"Yes Raskal." Char replied in pain "Yes she did."
Then he closed his eyes.