TIME FRAME: This chapter took place on the Level of Halo 2: The Great Journey
Chapter 13 Frontal Assault
The team immediately headed out, with Zen being in lead. His motorcycle made short work of the landscape as they traversed on hills and slopes. Zen saw up ahead, Brutes who were riding on ghosts and was accompanied by a 2 Wraiths. He turned on his radio and said to the others,
"I'll handle the wraiths, you take the ghosts."
"With pleasure." replied Rtas. Zen accelerated forward, performing a back-ended wheelie on his motorcycle. Zen wasn't a sports enthusiast about motorcycles but his knowledge on it was damn well enough he could pass as an expert. He lurched forward passing the 3 brute driven ghosts, who had baffled expressions as they did not know what passed them.
"Piece of cake." muttered Stahn to himself as he aimed the plasma turret of the Spectre he was riding. Using only one hand was pretty difficult but using your left while trying to cling on for dear life, was equally harder; and he was right handed. Doc saw his effort and couldn't help but smile; he made a mental note to himself to do something about his right hand. Whilst the 3 spectres battled it out with the Ghosts, Zen headed straight for the Wratihs.
His screen suddenly showed a crosshair which was aiming for one of the wraiths. It gave an affirmative sound with an electronic voice saying "Target locked." A button with a missile design on it came to life, blinking. Zen pressed it and felt the motorcycle shake as the SML fired a rocket to the air. The shaking nearly made the motorcycle flip which was dangerous at the speed he was cruising but he quickly recovered from it. The Stinger Missile launched in to the air, like a mortar, for about a few seconds. Then it exploded. From the smoke fired a rocket which was headed straight for the wraith it targeted.
The rocket zoomed for the kill then landed dead on the target. The wraith exploded in a blaze of plasma and flames. Apparently the rocket contained dangerous quantities of volatile plasma and explosive human bombs that equal an RPG. Zen couldn't help but smile. As he came closer to the now alone wraith, it fired a plasma bomb which was landing straight on his path. He quickly swerved to the side and fired another SML. It rose to the air, exploded, and the missile headed for the wraith. It exploded in a ball of blue and orange flames.
Zen stopped his motorcycle and placed it on neutral for a little and waited for his teammates to get to his position. A few moments later they arrived with surprised looks on their faces as they saw what was left of Zen's carnage. Rtas made an audible "wow" as well as the others. Zen just smiled behind his visor. He turned the vehicle off and hopped off. The others did the same to their vehicles and the group gathered for a meeting.
"The Scarab that is parked on the ledge will be the only way we can enter the Control Room. There's a passage that leads to it, but he Brutes are in the way." Rtas began.
"Well what are we standing around here for?" said Stahn. Then a couple of Brutes came down the side of the path which was on the side of the cliff. A short firefight began but was quickly over. Novi saw a couple a Ghosts were heading for them from the path they rode on earlier.
"The Brutes control the Carrier." Rtas told them. They looked to see a Carrier in the air off in the distance. "I'll remain here; to make sure no reinforcements get in behind you. Then, I'm going to take the cruiser back!"
"I'll remain also." said Novi.
Zen, Stahn, Doc, 'Evanam siblings and Thel made their way to the entrance; Behind a toppled over crate was a terrified Sangheili, dual plasma rifles directed in their direction. He looked like he was about to shoot but his eyes widened when he saw Thel.
"The Arbiter? I thought he was dead!" he looked to his right and yelled, "Hold your fire!" the Lekgolo, fuel beam cannons ready, relaxed slightly. The Sangheili looked back at the Arbiter.
"The Hunters have come to our aid, Arbiter. They will fight by our side." They followed the Hunters while the Sangheili remained behind. They came to another room; a brig. The Arbiter ordered everyone to hold. They peaked around the corner and saw several Brutes standing in front of another door, surrounded by holding cells and a few plasma cell bombs. Two cells on their level held a pair of Hunters and a Councilor. Up above were SpecOps Sangheilis
"Hmm…" said Zen thoughtfully. He was trying his best to think of the best way he could kill the Brutes. Almost everyone was trying their very best to think of a good strategy. After a few minutes of thinking hard, Zen thought of something and took a quick peek again and his strategy had been confirmed.
"Guys, when they are distracted, I want you sneak towards the cells as quietly as possible. Got it?" The others nodded, but Thel asked "What are you planning?" Zen replied, "Just watch."
Zen then gave to Stahn the rifle he was carrying and exchanged it for the Magnum he was carrying. After checking if there was ammo, he then started walking towards the corner of the hall, raising his hands up, the pistol dangling on his hand; in an act of surrendering.
The brutes immediately took note of this and aimed their brute shots at him.
"I surrender." shouted Zen as he casually walked down the ramp.
"What is the meaning of this?" whispered Thel under his breath.
"Let's just see where this goes ok?" replied Stahn.
"What is he doing?" whispered one of the brute to his teammate, which was second in command.
"What are you implying?!" shouted the brute.
"I'm implying that I surrender… and join you guys." said Zen in calm and controlled voice. He stopped walking and stood at the center of the room. Every eye was on him; the SpecOps watched in anticipation along with the councilor; the brutes were completely distracted now and the others took their chance. They slowly sneaked their way towards the cells, giving wary looks to Zen, whom one's plan they did not understand fully yet.
Zen saw at the corner of his helmet that his allies were in front of the cells now and he initialized the next step of his plan.
"So… do you accept my offer?" he asked the brutes. The brutes were clearly weighing the consequences but came to an end and said,
"Drop your weapon first and we may talk." Zen smiled, this was what he wanted. He took one last look at every brutes location. Most of them were huddled up and were behind the plasma bomb cells. Slowly he raised his hands up even more, and then he let the pistol slide out of his hand.
Everything went into slow motion. The gun dropped towards the ground. Nira held her breath along with the others since they had no clue what was Zen planning. The gun was now at Zen's waist but this was his cue. He moved with complete grace, as he dropped his body. The gun went horizontal and he quickly grabbed it. He landed on the ground with the gun in his hand, and quickly fired at the bombs behind the brutes.
They were too stunned and shocked at what he did, so they had little time to react to the explosion that came from behind them. Zen covered his body as the flames and the force threw the brutes smoldering body. Luckily his shields managed to absorb the force.
Everyone was still and silent. They were like that for ten seconds before the Arbiter snapped out of it and released the prisoners. Now they had a whole team of Spec Ops Sangheili, a Councilor, and now four Lekgolo.
"Zen has to teach me how to do that when all of this is over." said Stahn to himself and to his surprise, Thel, the SpecOps, the Councilor, Doc and the 'Evanam siblings replied "Ditto."
Meanwhile across the other room from the brig, the brutes were startled when they heard the explosion that came from the brig.
"By the Gods!" exclaimed the captain.
"It came from the brig, c'mon we have to check it out." said the other brute.
The Captain ran through the door way to see a teenage Sangheili with an energy sword. Before he could react, Z'jo cut him down, then slew the other stunned aliens with ease and grace. Thel chuckled proudly.
"That's my boy." he said to himself. Stahn approached Zen who was still lying on the floor. He strapped his gun, and held out his hand. Zen took it and Stahn handed him his rifle again saying, "That was awesome. You have to teach me that sometime."
"Sure." Zen replied.
They then moved out, fighting through hordes of Brutes and Jackals. Through the battle three Lekgolo were lost, and all the spec ops Sangheili, though the Councilor remained. They arrived at the ledge where the Scarab was supposed to be, but it was gone. Behind them, the Scarab stood, it's eye fixed on them.
"Nice to see you again." said Johnson on the comlink.
"Hello, Sergeant." said Z'jo smiling.
"So, yo daddy with us now, huh? Well no offense, Z'jo, but I don't like him. He gave me a headache earlier."
"Understandable." said Thel smirking.
"Well one thing's for sure, ya all need some help to get in the Control Room. And I got the right ass kickery." above them several Banshees flew down and landed near them. The Sangheili within stepped out and said,
"Here, Arbiter, take my Banshee."
"Arbiter, cover me while I get to the Control Room. Zen, Z'jo Zide, Nira, Doc and Sangheilis hop on, you guys get to ride a Scarab." Johnson grinned. Everyone immediately piled in.
"Let's move!" crowed Johnson. The Arbiter lifted into the air and Johnson made the Scarab walk to the control room. Up above the Arbiter engaged a Brute Banshee.
"Be careful, father." said Z'jo on the comlink.
"Don't worry." he replied, using his fuel rod blaster and striking one Banshee, making it explode. Johnson blew away two Wraith tanks with the main cannon.
"How do like that you big hairy bastards!" he shouted. The Brute Banshees seemed to be coming out of nowhere, and Thel was being outnumbered. Z'jo looked up and felt terror gripping him as his father's Banshee began to smoke.
"I'm taking heavy damage!" he yelled on the comlink.
"Hold em off! I've seen what your boy can do; you can get 'em!" Johnson yelled. Z'jo looked frantically around but came to no avail.
"Hey Z'jo use this." said Zen giving him a rocket launcher. Z'jo quickly took it and took aim. He started covering his father while he broke away to regain his composure. Z'jo took out two Banshees, and Thel took down two also. Soon they were clear.
"Thank you, Z'jo." said Thel.
"Hey don't give me all the credit, Zen gave me the rocket launcer" said Z'jo. Thel smiled. Johnson came to the door.
"Stay clear of the doors." ordered Johnson as he lined the Scarab's cannon with the doors. "Hey bastards, knock knock!" The cannon let loose the beam and it blasted through the door. The Arbiter landed and the others descended from the Scarab via gravity lift.
"Don't let them in the chamber!" roared a Brute in front of the blasted door. "The Chieftain must complete his work!"
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