Level 3: Desperate Measures
Mukutan, Kenya
October 30, 2552
Clouds lined the sky as the sun rose overhead. Distant thunder cracked as Mother Nature did her earthly duties. It was a dreary morning, humid and wet, but Melanie raced on. The muddy soil beneath her feet sloshed with every step. She had been running throughout the night and she needed to know how far she had run. With a quick thought her Heads-Up-Display flashed; fifteen miles from her last check point. She stopped, placed her hands to her hips to gather her breath, and then pulled the helmet from her head. The humid air quickly washed over her face, instantly causing her to sweat uncontrollably. She stood motionless in a wide open field, blankly gazing into the distance.
Melanie had covered the full range of the plateau. She had climbed down the back side and ran all the way around it, and had finally arrived at the squad rendezvous point. A quick calculation of her speed and distance, and comparing that to the squads slow pace, she figured that she arrived roughly a few hours ahead of them; and the ETA was noon. She turned her attention to the cliff of the plateau, gazing up its incline and making sure that the Brutes had not sent out a search team. Hopefully they went north, following her original path. Hopefully they wouldn't turn south and pick up her trail.
Hopefully.
A light mist of rain began to fall and Melanie lifted her head into the sky. She unbuttoned the top of her ODST armor to let the cool water wash over her. She sat down in the field, rocked backwards and rested in the tall grass. The squad would show up in a few hours, and the war would continue, but for now she was able to have a moment; a rarity not given in these harsh times. She pulled out her flask, and took a shot from the whisky contents and frowned when she realized it was empty. She closed it and looked at the engraved words; "Do or Die."
It was hard to believe that three weeks ago she was on the Elite home world, trying to help the same creatures that had killed her sister less then three months ago. The events of this year were weighing heavy on her mind, and nothing could wash it from her forethought. She recalled the events of that dreadful day. The Elites lob grenades into their position, and a grenade landed between Kim and several civilians. Melanie then watched as Kim gripped the boiling ball of plasma, it instantly bonded to her skin, and she ran out into the field. She had sacrificed herself in order to save a few civilians.
Her big sister and leader of the Black Ops had died a hero, yet no one would ever know her sacrifice. The Black Ops, Black Operations Squad 011-Gamma, did not exist on any official document. Kim, Senior Chief Petty Officer Kimberly Peters, would never receive a medal of heroism, and her grave will be forever unmarked. But then there was the amalgamation of her consciousness and a machine; Siren.
Though she was dead, Kim was somewhat alive inside the processing power of a computer. Melanie rubbed her head in disbelief. What had the world come to? What had they signed up for? And who gave the military permission to map her big sisters mind and make it into a Virus AI? Somewhere out there Siren was floating around the digital void, in the wreckage of the Rogue Fantasy. Her sister, an AI, was lost in the world or destroyed.
Melanie wanted to scream in frustration, but that was pointless. She opened her eyes as the rain began to pass, buttoned up her modified armor, and pulled on her helmet. Her clock read 1158 hours. A hiss of compression confirmed that her suit was sealed and she stood to her feet.
"This is Recon, does anybody copy?"
"Loud and clear, Recon. You had us worried." Mathew 08 replied over the com.
Melanie exhaled happily. "Good Morning. What's for breakfast? I'm starving."
Mathew returned. "Are you kidding? There's wildlife everywhere around here. Shoot something and enjoy. And while you're at it, kill two, then cook one for me."
Melanie chuckled and watched as the Squad appeared in the distance. She zoomed in with her mask binoculars and took a quick head count. Everyone was accounted for, but she didn't understand why Eric was now walking.
"19, why aren't you on the stretcher?" She fumed of the Black Ops frequency.
"I'm feeling much better. 08 is a great field nurse." The trio laughed at the tone and for a moment they simply enjoyed their reunion. It had been a while since the Black Ops had not suffered any losses, and seeing Melanie made them joyful. The past four months had seen their Squad numbers dwindle too fast.
The ODST, Corporal Greg Hall, was able to listen in on the Black Ops frequency, but the two Marines and the Pilot were clueless as to what was funny. Melanie walked toward the group and they all stood firm as she stopped in front of them. She quickly examined Eric's bandages, making sure they didn't need redressing. Dried blood spotted the bandage, a good sign of coagulation, it would hold until they could fine another med kit.
"How's your head?" She questioned.
"Fuzzy, and a headache, but the dizzy spells are passing." Melanie nodded an okay, but remained silent from behind her reflective mask. It was quiet for a moment and Eric quickly cut the silence. "Status, 05?"
Melanie snapped to attention. "The Brutes didn't give chase, 19. I led them north, and hopefully they stayed the course, or gave up. I left a few presents behind in case they decided to follow my path, but so far I haven't heard any fireworks. It was a platoon, mostly Brutes and a nest of Jackals; full vehicle support and artillery."
"What about this 'Chieftain' you reported?" Mathew questioned.
"It was odd, but I certainly heard the Brute referred to as a Chieftain." Melanie thought back to the encounter and began to give them the full details. "He was pretty heavily armored, I mean 'heavily'. He was wearing battle armor, looked like something out of a King Arthur book; full helmet, shoulder pads, arm guards, chest plate… a big walking hulk of fur and metal. He also had a big hammer."
"Amazing what can change in a few hours." Eric added. "They didn't have that much gear yesterday. And I thought the Brute Chieftain was dead?"
Melanie raised her shoulders in a shrug. "Beats the hell out of me, but I put a round through his chin and blew off is leg… so at least we know that they don't have shields like the Elites do."
"Thank God for that." Airman Tsueng sighed.
Melanie agreed. "Also, they didn't give chase because they were fighting over his hammer. I guess it was a sign of leadership; the next strongest leads."
Eric agreed. "That would work with our findings, the Brutes have an honor system based only on strength, the strongest leads. I'm sure it's more complicated then that, but this does confirm it. As to our location, you said we were in Mukutan. Mukutan?" Eric questioned aloud. "What the hell are Brutes doing way out here? There aren't any strategic points of interest, just parks and wildlife reserves."
"Anyone know this terrain?" Mathew questioned the others. A solid no came from everyone. "I swear I saw a city from above, but it could have been anything."
"That's where we were headed, so there's no need to change our plans." Eric returned. "We'll continue to move East, slow and with eyes sharp. 05, you've been out all night, so take a break and watch our six. 08, you watch the left flank. That's where the Brutes were patrolling. Corporal Hall, take the right flank. Marines, you'll be on point with me. Visual spread, com channels clear. Move out."
They fanned out into positions and began their trek east. It was only a matter of time before the group stumbled upon what Mathew had seen from above. Eric held up a clinched fist and knelt. He pulled the group together and they slowly crept toward the edge of dusty dirt road; thoroughly dried by the mid day sun. The water way on the side of the road provided a nice cover area from which they could inspect the town.
"08, you're up." Eric whispered. "Recon the first two blocks. Clean sweep. You have ten minutes."
"Roger that." Mathew pulled down his rifle, tripped the safety and crawled along the water path toward the edge of the town. He rolled out of the water way and took a knee as he gazed down the main street. He stayed low, knowing full well that his all black modified shock trooper armor was startling contrast to the white and tan buildings. The Black Ops worked best at night, not in daylight. He pressed forward, silently moving from cover to cover, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of movement.
The squad had stumbled upon a National Park forestry community. One of the last in the Mukutan area before it became a wildlife reserve. The community was once used as a veterinary training institute. Mathew scanned from street to street, and saw no sign of life. A few birds and rodents occasionally crisscrossed the street, but human life was nil. Cars and trucks sat in unattended parking lots, perfectly parked as if no one had left the town in a hurry.
Mathew radioed back, "Clear."
Eric waived the squad forward. They all cautiously walked into the city perimeter and joined Mathew. Unlike the Brute occupied Observatory, the tiny town was well preserved, meaning that it was still in use. The buildings were maintained, street lights were in tact and the streets were clear of debris.
Eric once again took point. "08, take Corporal Hall and inspect that station." Eric pointed to a distant building with a large antenna on its roof. "See if it has a working relay of some kind. Try to reach High-Com. "
"On it." Mathew tapped the shock trooper and the two sprinted toward the building.
"05, you and Airman Tsueng see if any of these vehicles are road worthy. If we can't radio for a pick up, we have to get back in this war somehow."
"Gotcha." Melanie and the pilot walked to the nearest vehicles and tried breaking into them.
"Private John and Jackson, you're with me. We're going to see what those Brutes are up to."
Eric and the two Marines jogged to the western edge of town, and it was only now that Eric was beginning to miss his modified ODST helmet. He was able to salvage the com system, but the rest of it was scrapped. He was now forced to rely totally on his own visual acuity.
They reached the western edge of town and glared into the distant mountain range. "Binoculars?" He questioned to the Privates at his side. John pulled out his pair and quickly gave them to Eric. Eric zoomed in using the binoculars nearly one mile range, and he was able to see the Brute Camp that Melanie had steered up during the night. The Brutes were looking into the town and were in perfect striking range for a plasma volley, but they didn't seem to be gearing up for an attack. The Brute camp was active, but they were only watching, as if they were waiting for something.
Eric pulled down the specs. "Shit. What the hell are they doing up there?"
"Sir?" Private John questioned.
"They're just sitting there. Even though 05 was in the middle of their camp last night, they haven't budged. Some one or some thing is making them stay on the plateau. It's a perfectly defendable position, they have the high ground, but they seem to be focusing all of their heavy guns at this town. Something's not adding up. Maybe the Plateau is a target, another dig site perhaps." Eric pressed his com. "Report in."
"08 here, radio is pretty banged up, but I may be able to rig something together. Might not reach High-Com, but we should be able to contact someone within a few hundred miles."
"Get on it and keep me notified." Eric replied.
"05 here, and all of these vehicles are in working order; fueled and ready to go. Only problem is finding a color I like. I'm thinking the red one."
"As long as it can get us to the nearest base, I don't care if it's pink with frills. Be sure that it can handle off road terrain."
"Will do."
Eric looked up to the distant Plateau once again. "Listen up everyone. Those Brutes are still sitting up there, in a perfect striking range of the town. Be cautious of snipers. Keep your heads low when you are in clear view, and try to stay behind cover as much as possible. Keep your trigger fingers ready in case they send an assault team."
"Roger." The squad sounded off over the com.
Melanie turned to the Airman, "We need to find a way to carry extra fuel, or find a ride that can carry us for several hundred miles. I'd hate to cross the desert and run out of hydrogen. That would be bad."
"I saw a Meg-5, a block back!" Tsueng happily stated. "It can carry the seven of us easily, and it's designed for off road driving."
"A Meg-5?" Melanie questioned.
"It's one of those big trucks that civilians use to take people on safari. They aren't the fastest vehicles on the road, but it is tough and can go virtually anywhere and it has reserve Hydrogen tanks."
"Let's check it out." Melanie smiled.
Meanwhile, Mathew and Corporal Hall continued to fight with the radio. "Anything?"
"Nothing." The ODST replied as he turned the dial on the old fashioned transceiver. "None of this old equipment works right. Mind if I smoke, Chief?"
"Knock yourself out." Mathew never looked up at the ODST and continued to examine the back of the box, pulling cables and replacing them with new ones. He wasn't skilled at this sort of thing, but he tried what he could. Suddenly there was spark and the radio hummed softly.
Corporal Hall pulled the cigar from his lips. "I'll be damn! We got something."
Mathew jumped from the back of the box and looked at the controls. "Tune to the emergency frequency." Hall turned the small dial until there was a faint hum, then suddenly a transmission sounded on the channel.
"… present speed. I repeat, a new Flood outbreak has taken control of the Southern Nile posts and are moving north toward Camp Eden. Camp Prettyman, Fort Bravo, Fort Singlow, and Tamari Base have been overrun. Fatalities are 100 across the board. Elite Forces have reduced Flood control zones in Egypt, Uganda, and Kenya. All troops presently not engaged are to evacuate to Egypt and Rally at Abu Simbel stronghold and Supply Depot to assist the Elites in defending the Zone. Newest Flood wave last seen moving North toward Mukutan, Kenya, putting them three days outside of Abu Simbel, at present speed. I repeat, a new Flood outbreak has…" The message began to repeat.
"Please tell me he didn't say that the Flood was heading toward Mukutan?" The ODST gripped his head, rocking nervously. The old War vet was at his limit, and this had sent him over the top. "Dear God, this isn't happening. This can't be happening! My life sucks right now!"
Mathew switched the channel on the radio, and set the uplink as quickly as he could. He pulled on his helmet, grabbed the ODST by the color and pulled him out of the building. He quickly tripped on his com, "19! We have to get the hell out of here!"
Eric heard the panic in Mathew's voice. "Report."
"We checked the emergency frequency. The Flood! The Flood are moving north, through Mukutan! We are sitting in their path! That's why the Brutes won't come down off the Plateau! They knew that the Flood were coming!"
"Not again." Eric whispered. "05, tell me you have things ready."
"And then some! I'm ready when you are. Everything okay?"
"Get to the main street, engine hot. We are leaving!" Eric and the marines turned and hauled as fast as they could. Eric pulled away from the much slower marines and adjusted his pace so they could keep up with him. His heart rate began to climb with the exertion of the run and he was starting to get lightheaded once again. "Not now." He grabbed his head and began to slow his pace, when a ferocious screech filled his ears.
His com burst with static. "You're kidding me, right? Tell me that wasn't the Flood? Please!" Melanie remembered the horrific scream of the Flood, and she had hopped to never hear it again.
"Sorry to disappoint." Eric gasped. He was now running at a slight jog, holding his head as the blood was being drained into his powerful legs, taxing the blood in his head. He was on the verge of blacking out.
The two marines ran up to his side, "Hang with us Sergeant!" They cupped him in their arms and gave him a shoulder to rest on.
"One more block! We can make it!" John shouted as he looked back. He almost wished he hadn't.
The slowly decaying flesh forms of animals, humans, Brutes and Elites quickly filled the street behind them. The gargled shrieks of the Flood rumbled from their chests, leaping toward the three humans with a savage hunger. John knew they weren't going to be able to out run the horde of monsters. He pulled out his side arm and emptied his clip into the crowd. It was a pointless effort and he was slowly loosing control of himself. He had to run.
John pulled away from Eric, dropping the Sergeant's arm and ran ahead of them. Jackson held on to Eric and carried him as best he could; watching as the other marine left them to die.
"Run." Eric mumbled. "You can move faster without me." Eric's attempt to run turned into a stagger.
Jackson gripped Eric's waist and dragged him. "No Sir!"
Like an angel's wing, the Meg-5 pulled in front of the terrified marine. The door slid open and Melanie leaned out with her BR-55 level to her eye. She fired over Eric's shoulder as John dived into the all-terrain vehicle. She focused on the Flood forms closest to Eric, putting rounds through the controlling infection forms.
Eric's com echoed in his ear. "Eric, if you don't run you won't make it. I don't care what you need to do, but stop slacking off! Get your ass in gear and run towards me, now!"
Eric opened his eyes, saw the open door of the Meg-5 and planted his feet to run. He watched as Mathew and Corporal Hall climbed onto the top of the vehicle and began to fire at the Flood horde snapping at his heels. Eric's first step drained what energy he had left, and he instantly began to lose balance. He focused and ran straight, his vision had completely blacked out, but he pushed forward. The Marine at his side guided him as best he could and the two men ran at a full stride toward the bus. Jackson could feel the flood crawling across his back as he jumped through the door of the Meg-5.
Melanie's rifle clicked empty as the auto chamber hummed without any ammo to fire. She slammed the door closed as the flood rammed into the side of the Meg-5. "Tsueng, Go!" Six twenty-six inch all wheel drive tires spun wildly as the powerful vehicle pulled away from the Flood, but the creatures gave chase. The All-Terrain Safari bus cut easily down the central road and maintained its course north.
On the roof seating of the Meg-5, Corporal Hall continued to fire his weapon at the trailing Flood, but Mathew calmed him down. "Cease fire, Corporal. You're wasting ammo. Mathew then climbed down to the small steps to the lower bay. "You okay?"
"Yeah." Eric returned, holding his head as he rolled onto his back.
Mathew exhaled, "I got the uplink working, so you better transmit before we get out of range, or the Flood take out the antenna."
"Take out the antenna?" Hall questioned. "What the hell? They're monsters, how can they be smart enough to know about the antenna? This is great. This is just great!"
Eric ignored the Corporals mental breakdown, and began to transmit. "This is Black Ops 19 to any local UNSC forces. Copy?" He rolled onto his back and tried to steady his breathing.
"Sergeant Raynord? Is that you?" Came a familiar female voice.
"Kelly? Thank God, you made it."
"Sergeant, we've been worried. Where are you?"
"Mukutan, headed north."
"Be advised, the Flood have massed together in that area. We thought we had them under control, but large packs of them have been popping up all over that region."
"We found out the hard way." Eric commented. "What about the mission?"
"The Admiral is diverting it. We have new orders. The Master Chief is heading East, to Voi. 058 is taking a squad to meet Blue Team in Northern Africa. I am heading back to Camp Eden's Defense Net, RP Abu Simbel."
"Roger that. Best guess, we are three days from RP, Abu Simbel."
"We can swing by and pick you up, Sergeant. I'm sure the pilot won't mind."
"Negative. I repeat. That is a negative. The Flood are all over us, but we have a fair head start on them. We'll try to give you guys more time, but an ammo-drop would be most appreciated. Check my heading via GPS markers." Eric nodded toward Melanie, and she quickly uploaded several marker points over the signal using her GPS uplink. "We will slow down as many of the Flood forms as we can. Get to the Abu Simbel Rally Point and get them ready."
"Roger Sergeant. Coordinates received. I'll dispatch three pelicans to drop at your markers… good… …Sergeant? … Ops…" Static increasingly filled the line.
"05?" Eric questioned.
Melanie shook her head. "We lost the signal. GPS uplink is also severed. We've lost com. I have the marker points, but I won't know where the ammo dumps will be until we are practically on top of them."
Mathew chuckled. "Man I love this job." He climbed the short steps to the roof and looked into the dusty wake of the Meg-5. The Flood was still pursuing in the distance; chasing them with a blood thirsty determination. Corporal Hall sat at the back bench, gazing out at the now distant flood forms.
"Every time we slow down my heart starts racing." Hall stuttered. "I'm terrified that if we stop… they'll get closer."
Mathew sat beside him, but had nothing to say. Mathew, Black Ops 08, had seen the Flood first hand. He knew their unrelenting aggression and determination all too well. His thoughts went back to Sammy and Justin; Black Ops 13 and 14. They had been killed on the Forerunner Seed Ship after Sammy's mutation. There was nothing he could say to ease the Corporal's mind. The truth was that the Flood would follow them, and they wouldn't give up the chase even if they were out of sight. The Flood needed to spread, they needed to feed, and until something else crossed their path they would not be discouraged in pursuing their prey.
Eric pulled himself into one of the chairs as Melanie assisted him. "Thanks."
"Thank me when this is over." Melanie stated the traditional Black Ops response.
Eric grinned hoping that she understood that he was thanking her for pushing him on. He then turned to Private Phillip John. "Private, you did what you had to do."
John lifted his head and dried the tears in his eyes. He was young, a mere rookie hoping to do his part to help save humanity. He was ready to face the Covenant; the Elites, Jackals, and Grunts. But he was not ready to face the Flood. Like every military recruit, they all knew the face of their enemy. The size, weapons, and attitudes of the enemy, were basic study topics during boot camp. Tales of heroic actions by the Spartans and space battles motivated humanity to believe, against all odds, that they could stand toe to toe with the Covenant and win. But the Flood … The Flood were mindless, barbaric, horrifying creatures that didn't kill you, they stole your body and mind, and made you into a tool to kill. Private John, and many others, was not ready to face the Flood.
"I'm sorry Sergeant." John wept. "I lost myself. I was… I was so scared."
Jackson, the other Marine, intervened. "Scared? We're all scared, mate. That doesn't explain you acting like a pansy and leaving two men behind."
"We're alive." Melanie stated calmly. "That's all the matters for now."
"If you say so, but I know I don't want him watching my back anymore." Jackson stood up and walked to the front of the Meg-5 and sat in the passenger's seat. Tsueng overheard the argument and looked at the Marine as he sat beside him. Tsueng chose not to add to the discussion and did what he did best; pilot the transport, even if it was on the ground.
The road ahead was a mere dirt trail, crisscrossing the open fields and maintaining a northern course, but for how long? Tsueng was aware that eventually the road would break, and they would then be forced to go off road.
"Jackson, look around and see if you can find a road map." Tsueng stated to the Marine.
"A map?" He questioned aloud as he opened the glove box and looked in various places around the passenger's seat. "Got it. It looks like we're on the boarder; heading north-northwest. The road turns hard west in about… two miles. Sergeant, we have a problem!" Jackson called back to Eric.
Eric scuffed at the words. "What?"
"The road turns west in a little bit. It then snakes into the mountain range. That'll slow us down. But if this map is right, we can't go north beyond the road. The mountains make this area into a valley; a dead end."
Melanie laughed. "So we go into the mountains and risk the Flood catching up with us, or we bypass the mountain path and go straight; hoping that there is another way through the mountains. Not to mention the ammo drop is most likely further north."
Eric thumbed his chin. "Tsueng, how's the fuel?"
"Three-quarters of a tank left. Fuel should be able to last all the way past the mountain range. And we have two spare Hydrogen tanks."
Mathew then added from up stairs, "But if we take the mountain path we risk being overrun by the flood, and we have no ammo to fight back."
Melanie laughed again. "We could always use harsh language."
"That didn't work on Dorenth, so I doubt it will work here." Mathew returned.
Tsueng shook his head in confusion. "How can you make fun of this? Sergeant, the road is turning west!"
"05, is the ammo-drop in the valley?" Eric questioned.
"If they made the drop, yes, but probably another five miles north. I won't know until we are within six hundred yards."
"We risk it. Tsueng, head north." Eric ordered. The all terrain civilian transport bounced hard as it left the beaten path and began to rumble across the grassy plain.
"This is nuts. This is nuts. This is nuts." Corporal Hall mumbled from the top.
Mathew patted him on the shoulder. "Look at the bright side. You'll feel much better with ammo in your hand." Hall looked down at his half empty BR and smiled awkwardly.
"I'picking up the Drop signal!" Melanie shouted as a waypoint appeared on her HUD. She raced to the front of the civilian transport, hovered over Tsueng shoulder and guided him toward the ammo-drop.
"08, Jackson, and Hall. Get ready to grab the gear and load it into the back."
The group sprang to action and hovered near the door of the Meg-5. The vehicle began to slow down as the ammo crate came into view. A parachute covered it partially, but the letters 'UNSC' were still clearly visible. Before they could stop, Mathew, Jackson and Hall jumped out and raced to the crate. Mathew gripped it and ripped the edge off with his bare hands. Jackson and Hall were stunned by the act, but too worried about the Flood to question it. The Meg-5 backed closer to the crate and the trio began tossing weapons into the back door. Melanie caught some, but let most of it tumble to the floor. They could sort out the mess later, time was crucial. Eric quickly began to pick up rifles and clips, making sure that each weapon had a full clip inside, while Tsueng revved the engine nervously. By now, he knew that the Flood had crossed the road into the mountains and would be heading toward them. They were official trapped in a dead end valley and the only way out was through the Flood horde.
What was the Sergeant thinking? It would have been easier to out run the Flood, instead of going to there certain death.
"Tsueng, Go!" Eric shouted to the front as Mathew, Jackson and Hall jumped back into the Meg-5. They rocketed off as fast as the vehicle would carry them and to no ones surprise, a dust cloud of fleshy monsters soon came into view.
Eric continued to inspect the new MA5C Assault riffle as he peeped at the approaching Flood stampede. "Hall, 08, upstairs with RPG's and Assault Riffles. Watch your backs up there, those things like to jump."
"Let's kick some ass, Corporal!" Mathew shouted as he shouldered two rifles and an RPG. Corporal Hall was not as an enthusiastic, but he grabbed his gear and followed the Black Ops up to the roof.
Eric turned to Private Johns, "05, you and the John watch the cabin. Keep them off our sides. Jackson, stay in the passengers seat and protect our pilot. I'm going top side." John exhaled slowly as he picked up an MA5C and sat with his back to the driver.
"Look, point and fire, Private." Melanie softly stated to the Marine. "Breath easy and don't panic. 19 and 05 are over ours heads, we get the easy job."
Loud thumbs of RPG exhaust sounded off as the battle swung into full gear. Mathew fired two quick successions of Rocket Propelled Grenades into the horde. Flood stained debris scattered in all directions as he loaded his last two rounds into the RPG. Hall then took aim and fired as the Flood swelled back together, his rockets flew true and cut deep into the Flood's charge. He dropped the RPG and pulled up the Assault Rifle.
"Steady Hall, wait till they get closer." Mathew shouted. "The assault rifle is no good at this range."
Eric stepped beside Hall and leveled his BR-55. The three bursts of fire cut down flood forms with easy; bursting the tiny infection forms that acted as the brain. Hall was mesmerized by the sight. Eric was deadly accurate, even with the Meg-5 bouncing over the rough terrain. Tsueng turned the vehicle slightly to avoid the large craters created by the RPG's and began to run over dozens of combat forms at a time. The green blood of the Flood stained the front of the powerful vehicle and Tsueng turned on the wipers so that he could see clearly.
Eric shouldered the BR and pulled down his new MA5C. The full-auto chamber roared as it tore into anything in his view. Flood combat forms were split in half by its gas fueled chamber. Eric turned and went to the back of the roof seating area and provided rear support. Hall and Mathew continued firing into the Flood at the front of the Meg-5. A Flood Elite form sprang into the air and landed on the roof, behind Eric. Hall spun around wildly, horrified at the hulking mass of flesh. Eric hadn't seen it.
"Sergeant!" Hall leveled the riffle and squeezed off a spray of fire. Eric heard the commotion and dropped to the deck as the lifeless combat form feel on top of him. He kicked it to the side and continued firing toward the side of the transport. Hall exhaled and turned just as another Combat form pounced on top of him. Its gargled roar filling his ears as its tentacle slapped his riffle from his hand. Hall fell backwards, as the creature stalked toward him. It was once human, but now it was an unrecognizable twisting of flesh and broken bones. He swung another tentacle at Hall, but Eric kicked it dead center in the back, followed by a full round from his assault riffle. Eric reached down and helped Hall to his feet.
"Thanks, Sir." Hall sighed as he picked up his riffle.
Instinctively, Eric replied with the standard response. "Thank me when this is over." Eric turned, popped the empty clip from the stock, let if fall, and slammed a new clip inside. He leveled the riffle and pulled the hammer all in one motion. The barrel of his MA5C was beginning to glow red from the constant fire, and the accuracy slowly began to fade.
Mathew's gun was doing the same, glowing hot from too much sustained fire. The MA5C was designed for continued use, but not in such rhythmic progression. Generally there was enough time for the barrel to cool between clip changes, but Mathew and Eric were so fast with the change that the gun couldn't cool the barrel fast enough. Even the self-cooling gas used to power the auto chamber, was not helping in keeping it cool. But Mathew and Eric anticipated this.
The Black Ops had long being familiar with the MA5Cs younger brother; the MA5B. It was the standard weapon for the Black Ops when they first began their training on Troy. They hoped that the redesigned MA5C would improve on its cooling ability, but sadly it didn't. After all, how could the Research and Development teams know that there were soldiers in the service that could change out and empty mag in less than three seconds?
"Barrel's hot!" Mathew shouted.
Eric chimed back, "Same! Switch out!" They needed ten seconds for the barrels to cool. That much time was insane in heavy combat, but luckily Eric kept count of how many clips he had used. It had taken six magazines for the MA5C to overheat, a stark improvement to the MA5B's four clips. Normally this wouldn't happen in combat, rarely did anyone sustain fire at that length of time, but they were the rare squad. Mathew and Eric pulled up their side arms, and aimed cautiously. Each bullet from the Magnum chamber had to count.
"Hall, maintain fire!" Eric shouted to the Corporal as his assault rifle clanged on the deck. Hall turned and watched as Eric and Mathew switched to their small side arms. He didn't understand why they had switched, knowing that they hadn't used all of their spare clips, but he turned and continued firing into the Flood onslaught. He was no longer scared, but he was determined to live. He then noticed that the road was now smooth and they were quickly getting closer to the mountains.
"We made it to the road!" Hall shouted. He fired into the four legged shape of some cat like Flood form.
Eric knelt and picked up the cooled Assault Rifle. "You know, I'm going to have a serious word with those R&D guys when we get out of this!"
Mathew reloaded and dropped two combat forms. "I agree. I can't believe they still can't keep these guns cool enough for us!" The two of them laughed.
Combat high; Eric and Mathew were in the zone, and unfazed by anything happening around them. Hall didn't know what to make of it. They were talking casually and shooting with expert marksmanship. Hall could barely maintain his focus with all the screams and blood curling screeches echoing in his ears. He looked ahead of the transport and finally saw that they had cleared the Flood, they were all behind them now.
"We're clear up front!" Hall shouted.
"Great!" Eric replied. "Since you're so bored right now, how about going down and getting me and 05 some more ammo?" Eric was still firing at the creatures that were clinging to the side and rear of the transport.
"I only have one clip left, and I think it would be good to have more." Mathew laughed.
"You guys are insane." Hall quickly jumped into the transport and watched as Melanie fired wildly out of the back window.
"I have more fun taking a bath!" Melanie shouted as she fired into a flood form that had managed to stick it's tentacles into the cabin. She kicked and fired at it at the same time. "I didn't say you could come in! You stupid girl scouts!"
Hall grabbed spare clips and cupped as many as he could. He looked at Johns crazed glare, "What?"
John looked back at Hall. "She's nuts. She's been screaming at them the whole time."
"Yeah, so have the two up top."
"How can they be so calm?" John nervously asked as he aimed at a combat form that was reaching into the window. He fired and killed the creature.
"I don't think they're calm, I think they're just not letting it phase them." Hall turned to the front and made ready to go back to the top. "How we doin' fly boy?"
"This was stupid, we wouldn't have to deal with this if we just went to the mountain pass!" Tsueng stated as he turned the first curve of the pass.
"We have our orders, and we don't question it." Hall stated.
Melanie took a breather and began to reload all of her gear. She then tossed a frag out the window for good measure. "Fire in the hole!" The grenade detonated with an echoing cry of dieing Flood forms. "I love that sound." She stated. She then turned to the discussion up front. "We came this way because we had to fight. The flood are heading toward Camp Eden, and our job is to slow them down… not run away. We needed ammo to fight and do as much damage to them as we can before they get to Eden. Our lives are forfeit to our duty to protect the civilians at that camp."
Tsueng finally understood now. Melanie was right. This was their mission, to fight the war no matter where it came. This revelation was calming to him, and now he was ready to do his part. He drove, and drove hard, but he knew that ultimately there duty was to do as much damage to the flood as they could.
"Corporal, get up here with the ammo!" Mathew screamed from up top as he fired his RPG into the trailing Flood forms.
"Hold your horses, I'm coming!" Hall quickly climbed the ramp and passed out the MA5C magazines.
John was still shaken up by everything, but he sat at Melanie's side and fired at any combat forms that came close. He pushed the idea of dieing out of his head, but then watched as Melanie began to do something he didn't expect.
He started to say, "Ma'am, those are …"
"Lotus Anti Tank mines." She stated heavily. "Enough to take out anything within one hundred yards." She began to affix them to the seats and sides of the transport.
"Ma'am, why are you doing that?" John nervously questioned. He pulled the trigger at another combat form and then swapped out his empty clip.
Melanie continued to wire the mines. "We're on the mountain path, and our speed has been cut in half because of the curves and the incline. Right now, the Flood are faster then we are. I don't know about you, but if we get stuck or turn this rig over, I don't have any plans of letting them get to Abu Simbel before we do. If we run out of options, I'll send as many of those bastards to hell as I can." She then looked up as John's face began to grow pale. She laughed. "You think I'm crazy. Trust me, kid. You haven't seen what those things can do… nor do you have any idea of what they are capable of becoming. I'd rather vaporize then have those things try and take me over." Melanie then laughed. "Don't worry. If it comes to this, you'll thank me on the other side."
John nodded softly and aimed out the window.
Melanie grabbed another mine and found a med kit under the case. "Great! 19, I got something for you!"
"Is it a Pelican or a Longsword Bomber?" Eric cracked.
"Even better. It's a med kit!"
Eric sighed. "05, that was dry."
"Yeah, but you love my sense of humor."
John whispered to Melanie. "How can you be so calm? Those things are chasing us, you've rigged our transport into a rolling bomb, and there is literally no chance for us to live through this!"
Melanie looked at the young Private. "We Black Ops have been fighting together for almost thirteen years. We've seen a lot of things and lost a lot of good friends along the way. Even though I may not show it, my senses are sharp, I'm focused on every sound, movement, and ping. I can hear Eric and Mathew shooting. I can hear Corporal Hall walking back and forth, nervously looking for targets. I can even hear the engine straining to climb this hill. In order to keep our senses sharp, my sister taught us Black Ops to relax in the most severe situations. Eventually we go into a Combat High… and quite frankly, the adrenaline rush is amazing. I'm calm because I have to be. Otherwise, I'll be like you, nervous and panicking." Melanie turned to the last mine and set it in place. "19, I just finished cooking, and the Flood will absolutely love what I made for dinner."
Eric and Mathew nodded toward each other. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Eric replied.
To be continued.
NOTES: A closer look into the bound that the Black Ops Share, and and even closer look into how quickly the Flood respawn. Recall that in the last chapter the flood numbers were quickly thinned out, but now they seem to be spreading again, yet this time using the animals of the world as their hosts. Who knows what the future may hold. Stay tuned.