-2 Minutes prior to the prophets escape-
Xytan had insisted on going down to the ground. He knew Reethar could lead the small battlecluster. Hareth had been waiting in a Phantom for them and now they were descending on Earth once again. Relu stood by Xytans side energy stave resting on her back with a carbine in hand. Plasma rifle by her side and sword ready to swing. Xytan himself had his needle rifle in hand and he looked it over. His right Hand feeling small scratch marks in the side. He flipped over his rifle to the carved in runes on his rifle.
Twenty five.
Twenty five kills until he had stopped counting. Once upon that day he killed that child's father. He looked back into his memory to be greeted by more guilt ridden scenes. He tried to push them aside and it only took hold.
An alarm went off. The frantic beeping telling the team the phantom was in freefall. Xytan looked over to Naridue who frantically ran to the cockpit. Angel barely standing just lowered her head as the phantom plummeted to the ground. There was a screech of metal and a shower of sparks the last thing Xytan could see was Relu looking over to him in fear.
#
Xytan walked with his unit. His white Ultra armour giving a shine in the blazing sun. Two members of his lance were bickering as Unngoy kept moving forward ahead.
Xytan looked at his right into a destroyed building. His experience had taught him that Humans liked to hide in the debris and destruction. The city's fires had burnt out with columns of smoke rising in the air. A few embers fell here and there and Xytan looked over to his left.
A beautiful river untouched by the city. It's clear water lapping against the rocky and pebbled shores. A few trees surrounded it and ,even with the fight on going, birds sat in their branches. Their songs a heavenly grace from the sounds of battle and combat.
Xytan walked over taking off his helmet. His foot touched the rocky ground besides the water and with his own eyes the scene was much more entrancing. He listened to the gentle river flow as it handed its life giving liquid down the line. The smell of the fresh earth more welcoming than the stuffy combat helmet. His squad gathered round quietly. The two Minors looked at each other one shrugging to the other as they watched their commander.
Xytan slowly knelt down and touched a small alien plant inspecting its smoothness. He them dipped his hand into the cool water. The refreshing feeling of cool liquid a saving grace. He looked back to the water deciding to let his tired and fatigued mind rest at the calm before the storm. He saw fish bob in and out of the water their peace causing Xytan slight envy. He watched the suns reflection giving its warm smile and he noticed the once clear shallow water become red. His eyes followed the trail until it reached where his hand was in the water. He looked to his left where the blood had come from and he went stiff.
A small human child lay with a glassy gaze staring at him. Her face familiar but completely lifeless. Her open wounds still containing the carbine shots she'd been hit with.
He pulled his hand back in shock as the child's body began to float away. Carried by the current as her blood filled the clear waters. He looked back at his hand as blood washed over it. He stared hoping this was just another nightmare and that he could wake up. It never happened. He remained still staring blankly at his hand. His attention was grabbed when a Major tapped his shoulder. He turned his head slowly and the Major could see his shock and fear.
"Ultra?" The Major asked looking behind him. "We must go. They want all forces in the central district." The Major explained. His eyes showing fear in Xytans actions.
Xytan took a deep breath turning back to his hand.
There was no blood. No body in the water. No child.
Xytan looked around trying to find even a drop of blood. Nothing.
Xytan got up looking back to his squad. The Major stood by him looking out at the water. He saw Xytan's dread.
"What was it Ultra?" He asked.
"Nothing." Xytan lied brushing off the question. He put his helmet on and made sure it was secure. "We must go. We cannot leave the prophets waiting." Xytan said as if nothing happened.
His squad turned to each other and without words began moving. Xytan followed behind them looking back at the scene.
Nothing. Just silence. As if the world sensed his guilt and was passing down its silent yet condemning judgment.
#
Xytan awoke from unconsciousness. He heard the crackling of flames behind him and he felt ringing reverberating in his skull. He pushed with his arms to slowly rise up only to start choking on thick smoke. He lowered his head to keep himself in slightly better air and crawled away from the blue fire. He rolled over onto his back. His eyes watering from the constricting smoke. He lay in a coughing fit and he heard something running to him. He lay trying to see through his blurred vision. He could make out a colour amidst the grey and black of the air that moved quickly towards him. His ears heard only muffled shouting as he was dragged slowly onto his knees and into safety. Xytan collapsed. His body couldn't support him yet and he just kept his chest off the floor coughing as he lungs began to intake as much Oxygen as it could support. After many long moments of struggle his eyes stopped watering. The muffled sounds grew clearer and he felt his strength slowly return. He got up slowly leaning against a stone wall to keep balance. He stood a little tipsy. Swaying slightly but he was finally able to look around.
Able stood next to him holding him steady while Relu coughed up her lungs leaning against a small bit of rubble just big enough to support her position.
Xytan checked his surroundings further. Thel stood over Naridue tending to his grazes and scratches and making sure nothing was damaged. He heard Able say something and Hareth ran over to them. His arms reaching out to support Xytan as Able let go and ran back towards the enveloping flames. Xytan could only watch as Able ran in and his shadow disappeared in the charcoal smoke. After many intense moments Xytan could see something coming towards them from the smoke. A black figure sprinting out the smoke. Xytan tried to look closer as the shadow breached the smoke barrier and he could see Able carrying Angel over his back. He gently laid her down and no one could tell whether she was alive with her armour on.
Xytan regained his composure as Able frantically looked about for any sign Angel was alive. Xytan moved Hareth out of the way walking over to Able who just watched with disparity as his friend clung on to life.
Xytan slowly kneeled down next to Able and reached over to Angels helmet. He slowly lifted it up and pulled the battered Gungnir helmet off of Angel's head. He put the helmet down gently and watched her head slump to the side. He looked over to Able who put his hand against her neck.
Silence had overtaken the squad. They hadn't expected to lose one so soon. Angel may have been Human but she had already taken affect on them all as if one of their own.
Able closed his eyes and bowed his head in respect.
"May death bring you more joys than what you had in your time of life." Able whispered in his native tongue.
The squad all hung their head in respect and Able was the first to lift up his head. His hand now rested on her cheek and he could feel her skin against his hide.
Able looked behind him as the squad remained in silence. He felt something touch the back of his hand and he looked back to Angel. Her hand touched his and she slowly moved it away smiling.
"You all look like you're at your funeral." She laughed.
Able chuckled in response and embraced her in a tight hug.
"Whoa big guy. You're crushing my bones..." She said as Able squeezed her slightly. He released her and slowly got up taking a step back. Angel tried to move up but cursed as pain rang from her leg.
"Fuck..." She swore as she saw how unnaturally bent her leg was. She leaned over to it and harnessing all her strength twisted it and gave out a very muffled scream through gritted teeth. Able knelt down to her looking at her leg which now lay a little limp as she brought her hands to her sides.
"I enjoy the care but..."
"I doubt you can move. We cannot leave you." Able said wrapping his arms around her and lifting her onto his shoulders.
"Xytan. Fleetmaster Rtas 'Vadum has issued an immediate evacuation order." Relu shouted catching Xytans attention.
"Multiple distress beacons." Naridue noted looking over a small salvaged terminal from the phantom. "Zare's team is overrun. Says that the... Parasite is here." Naridue continued.
"Parasite?" Asked Thel and Able simultaneously.
Xytan looked around his squad and took note of what little they had.
"Everyone listen up! I don't know what this 'parasite' is but we have our orders." Xytan shouted. "Our mission is no longer assault it is search and rescue. We will burn through whatever attempts to stop us. Round up all survivors and regroup with Zare." Ordered Xytan. "And Able. Stay with Angel. Move out!" Added Xytan. Relu walked up to him stopping him from walking off.
"You almost forgot." She said with a sly grin holding his Rifle out to him in one hand.
"Thank you." Xytan said gently taking it from her hands. The squad grouped up and raised their weapons. They heard distant sounds of high pitched wails and screams followed by shots from both bullets and plasma.
"Move quickly." Thel said taking point and stalking through the backstreets the rest of them in tow.
#
"Right!" Shouted Zare blasting a fuel rod as a swarm of tiny putrid lifeforms rushed towards the small three Sangheili strong team.
"On it!" Shouted Sarev firing a volley of plasma which turned the swarm into shreds.
"What are these things?" Screamed the Minor tearing into an infected Marine with his stolen gravity hammer.
"Shut up! Keep calm and keep on firing!" Ordered Zare blasting apart a mix if infected humans and Marines.
"They're overrunning us!" Shouted Sarev letting loose more rounds from his plasma rifles.
"Hold the line!" Ordered Zare tossing a plasma grenade as he reloaded his fuel rod. He reached for the next set of rods and his hand found only air.
"I'm out!" Shouted Zare tossing the weapon at an infected Marine knocking it back. Zare drew a plasma rifle and began to let loose the searing hot rounds.
"They just keep coming!" Shouted the Minor slamming the crude hammer into a large horde of them. A large spider like creature caught Zare's eye and he brought his rifle and fired as many rounds as it could handle before having to force a cool down. The creature shrieked before falling off the wall it was skittering up and landed with a large squelching sound.
"Get off me!" Roared Sarev drawing his sword and effortlessly slicing through an infected Sangheili tendril as it tried to force him to the ground. Sarev stepped back tossing one of his empty plasma rifles aside and one hand holding his sword the other a rifle he fought on. He continued moving backwards as this disease, this parasite closed in around them. They all met each others backs unable to retreat further. Zare pulled out his last grenade.
"I saved one for us." He said with sorrow.
"A pleasure it was to serve." The Minor said. They waited on Sarev who continued fighting.
"Don't give up yet!" Sarev shouted as a rod smashed a large part of the horde to pieces.
"Mgalekgolo!" The Minor cheered as the large beast landed on the ground and crushed a parasite of equal size. It's brother landed next to it and the flood turned towards them. The Mgalekgolo slammed the bigger ones aside and supporting fire came from above the Mgalekgolo. A mixed team of Kig-yar and Sangheili fired down from above. A single Kig-yar jumped down and ran over to Zare blasting an infection form that tried to pounce him.
"This way!" It shouted waving them over as the Kig-yar turned to another line of its own kind. One of them wore much different armour to the others and ushered for Zare to follow.
Zare ran towards the Kig-yar as a stream of plasma fire landed nearby causing one of the parasites to wail in pain. Zare ignored the screeching and upon reaching the Kig-yar line he joined their support. The one in the much more diverse armour tossed him a magazine and he loaded it into his weapon. He covered Sarev and the minor as they ran towards him. The Mgalekgolo following behind bashing the enemy back and letting loose fuel rods into large hordes. Zare fell back with the Kig-yar the boundless horde attempting to follow only to be subdued by the sheer amount of firepower tossed at them.
After fighting and moving backwards for at least half an hour Zare found that they had been backed into a building. The Kig-yar slammed the door as the last Mgalekgolo was able to get in. The sound of flood banging on the door could be heard and the Kig-yar shouted something. Another Kig-yar ran up to the door with a large device in tow. He hastily placed it down and activated it. A stream of energy shot out of it and an energy shield formed on the door. The flood stopped banging on it and instead it sounded like they were banging on a strong shield on the other side.
Zare turned to the Kig-yar clearly in charge. The Sangheili who were with him were nowhere to be seen. That was until they ran around a corner panting. Zare looked back over to the Kig-yar commander who leaned back against a wall arms crossed.
"Who are you?" Asked Zare looking over to him. "I don't remember any Kig-yar siding with us." He added with a clear tone of distrust.
"I am Tór. I understand your mistrust. Most of my kind stayed for a pay check, but me and my team? We are honour bound." Tór said with a gracious bow of respect.
"Where about are we?" Zare asked taking a look around. The corridors being empty of any markings or signs. A few more Sangheili who must have stayed to guard the place were moving around and securing windows.
"I do not know." Tór admitted. "But there are more survivors. We have a temporary base here. We will rally them. Sangheili and Human." He explained.
"Tór! Fighting in sector two!" Shouted a Kig-yar from around a corner.
"Dispatch Markan's lance. He'll retrieve any survivors." Tór orders and a group of Sangheili promptly began to move around and resupply. They checked their weapons and gave silent nods to each other. Zare could tell they didn't like taking orders from a Kig-yar. The way they slowly walked and looked around made it obvious. But they all knew without him they'd most likely be dead.
"What's your name captain?" Tór asked Zare.
"Zare." He replied. "Special Forces commander." He added.
"Then your skill set will be useful. Who's your CO?" Tór further inquired.
"Xytan 'Vadum." He replied checking his gear.
"Xytan's alive!" Exclaimed Tór which brought about attention from his unit. "Is he planet side?" He quickly asked.
"You two have a history?" Asked Zare.
"History is one word. We're more like old friends." Tór explained.
"I do not if he is. Our last contact was lost." Zare explained. "I believe he was wounded as well."
"He's here." Interrupted Tór. "Even if he's injured. Zan, Mekreak. Search the area." Ordered Tór and two of the Kig-yar gave a small bow and set about their tasks.
"Zare please support them. Follow them to the ammunition depot and resupply. Head out and bring him back." Tór said.
"Why are you giving orders Kig-yar." Zare said.
"Because he's my second." Said a Sangheili behind Zare. "General Vorax. Now make haste. Tór keep it up." Vorax said. Zare grumbled and followed the orders getting ready to move.
#
"Catch Xytan!" Yelled Able tossing Xytan a grenade. Xytan caught it and activated the grenade. A coating of sticky plasma coated the grenade as it left his hand. The grenade flew and stuck to a flood tank form blasting it to pieces. Relu took a fine slash with her stave through an infected human. The sound of slicing flesh only told her to follow up with a massive slice from above which ripped the beast in two. She turned and thrust the tip of the stave into a tank forms head. The one sided blade of plasma on the stave dug into the creature and she sent it through kicking the beast back.
Able held his position slowly moving past the flood with Angel in tow. She'd told them seven times know to leave her behind so they can press on but Able just carried her against her wishes.
"I'm weighing you down. Go Able." Angel said as he fought on guarding her.
"No. You are a member of our lance now, and we will not leave you to die!" Able shouted blasting away multiple flood forms.
"Just go! You can survive without me!" Angel shouted back.
"Able move now!" Ordered Thel cutting through more infected Humans and Sangheili with plasma bolts. Able lifted up Angel and ran firing as he moved. The odds weren't in their favour at all. But they never were.
"Show these Dinos how it's done boys!" Shouted a man at the top of his lungs. The sound of rifle fire echoed throughout the air as the flood fell against the fire of both plasma and bullets. "Good job boys!" Yelled the man as the Marines formed a defensive ring around a door. Xytan nodded for Able to follow and they kept their weapons raised behind them allowing able to pass before walking backwards into the safety of the Marine ring.
Able got inside and put Angel down.
"Why didn't you leave me." She asked him looking around as Xytan and the Marine Staff Sergeant conversed. A corporal ran up to her and looked over to Able.
"Broken leg." Able said and the Corporal nodded. He shouted for a medic and another marine ran up to them with a medical kit. He opened it and looked over to her.
"We thought the only Spartan standing was Chief." The marine said. "How do I get this armour off." He asked her.
"Here." Able said removing her leg plates. The under suit was completely shredded and the medic could see the damage.
"It's not too bad. You snapped it in place good." The medic said grabbing a needle out the kit. "A simple painkiller to get you walking. Once it wears off you'll be back on the ground once more." The medic said putting it near her skin.
Able's hand grabbed the marines wrist in an incredibly tight grip that threatened to snap it.
"Don't spill her blood. Her honour is linked to it." Able warned. The marine began to shake as Able tightened his grip further.
"Lay off him big guy. Let him do his job." Angel said to Able. "Come closer." She said. Able obeyed and leaned his head close to hers. She whispered something and with a huff released the marines hand. The medic gave a slight nod to Angel and dug the needle into her skin. She cursed as the sharp point dug into her skin. The liquid inside was put into her vein and she felt the numbing almost instantly. She moved her leg and now it was only just a slight irritance of pain now. Angel lifted off her helmet and looked over to Able as the marine drew the needle out and only a small drop of blood followed it out.
"See. Not much honour lost." Angel said to Able. He laughed a little and stood up holding his hand out to help her up.
"Thanks Able." She said taking his hand and getting up on her feet. She felt pain shoot up her injured leg but at least she could stand. She took a step forward and the pain became just unbearable and she fell onto Able who held her steady.
"Take it easy Angel. I doubt you'll be running anytime soon." He said to her.
"Give her credit for trying." Relu said to them energy stave in hand. "You would've done the same Able. You two aren't too different." She observed.
"He acts tough but has a soft heart." Angel said getting back to her feet. Able got ready to catch her if she fell and she did..
"What was that thing out there?" Asked the medic to Able.
"Truth's ship. He's used its slipspace drive to jump to somewhere. We're rounding up survivors. Although it was a hard drag with Angel in tow. We will now be able to move quickly." Able explained to the Medic.
"Right. I'm gonna pretend I understood that." The medic replied.
"Able!" Shouted Xytan. Able turned his head with barely enough time to catch an assault rifle thrown over to him.
"Our weapons are almost empty and we need to hurry if we wish to beat this parasite." Xytan explained putting his Needle Rifle onto his back. He nodded to the Marine's sergeant and he rallied his troops ready to move.
Angel looked towards the medic who passed her a magnum. She inspected it in her hands leaning on Able who looked over his new weapon.
"How long have we got?" Asked Angel.
"Fifteen minutes." Xytan replied across the room getting ready by the door with a half full plasma rifle.
"Or...?" Angel asked dreading the answer.
"We're all dead." Xytan bluntly stated.
"I don't wanna go back out there man. Those things are too dangerous." A marine said looking over to his sergeant.
"Your a marine boy! Just because your a greenhorn doesn't mean you get a free pass, and you heard that dino over there. We got fifteen minutes 'till were all dead!" The sergeant shouted opening the door.
"Come get us you oversized popcorn chunks!" One marine shouted firing his assault rifle as the door opened. Xytan pushed his weapon to the floor and looked about. There was nothing, not even the breeze of the wind.
"We must move quickly. I doubt the peace will last." Thel said walking past.
"Agreed. Able you've got Angel lets move!" Xytan ordered keeping his plasma rifle raised and gesturing for everyone to move.
#
"Anything?" Asked Zare taking a look behind them. The two Kig-yar had climbed up the debris and were keeping a careful watch.
"We must head back. Transports won't wait any longer." One of the Kig-yar said jumping down carefully.
"Answer my question." Zare said with irritance.
"Nothing." The Kig-yar replied drawing his carbine and looking around.
"Useless." Zare mumbled.
"Zare." The minor said behind him.
"What minor?" He asked.
"Can you not see his marker? It has a range of four kilometres." The minor said.
"I cannot. Why do you ask?" Zare inquired.
"I see a marker with XYTN written on it that way." The minor answered pointing down a street.
"Then move!" Shouted Zare drawing a plasma repeater and running down the destroyed street. The Kig-yar ran ahead and Sarev and the minor stayed close behind.
"Flood ahead!" Shouted Sarev his finger already on the trigger of his plasma rifle.
#
A marine reloaded his rifle as another combat form sprang up over the debris. He screamed as the beast pounced towards him and raised his rifle to block it. His eyes closed he waited but he still hear the sound of battle around him. He opened one eye and saw Able stood in front of him slashing through the mindless monsters with ease.
"Go human!" He shouted moving back to Angel who'd grabbed an assault rifle off the floor. She sat firing her rifle as the flood moved closer. Able ran over and lifted her up. He fired cut through a flood tank moving with Angel over one shoulder. Relu tapped him on the back as he ran past and sliced an infected Sangheili clean in half.
"Who says females can't fight!" She shouted as she brought the stave back and thrust its tip into another flood combat form.
"I told you. To leave that behind!" Naridue shouted gunning down some flood infection forms.
"I'm out!" Yelled a marine running along the street they moved down.
"Here, catch!" Yelled another throwing him a loaded magazine.
"Xytan, your left!" Shouted Thel pushing a spider like flood away. Xytan turned from his fire and bashed the side of a combat form with the magnum he held. The thing barely even moved and Xytan activated the dagger in his gauntlet putting a blade of plasma into the beast and cutting a vital chunk out.
The whole team was still moving. Not once did they sit still. The flood had come in mass and they did not wish to be caught in a fight with them for too long. Xytan turned a corner and looked around it. More flood poured down from buildings. It was as if they knew where they were going.
"Up there!" Yelled a marine pointing to a building where two Kig-yar began firing down upon the flood. They both held plasma repeaters using the swath of plasma to rip apart the organic masses of the flood. A Sangheili ran past both and looked over to them.
"Xytan! This way!" He shouted firing a repeater into the horde.
Xytan ordered the marines to go. Able went with them along with Relu. They fought their way through and an unlucky marine got isolated and consumed. Turning into one of those things.
Relu cut him, it. Down and kept the backline moving until they were secure.
Naridue and Thel ran next with Xytan close behind. Two more Sangheili had joined the Kig-yar. One with a Brute's gravity hammer on his back and a carbine the other had two plasma rifles.
"Four minutes!" Shouted a Kig-yar holding his ground. Unusual valour despite the circumstance.
"Tell the phantom to get here now!" Ordered Zare following Siqtar and the marines up the stairs. Covering their backs towards the open roof.
"It's on route!" Shouted a Kig-yar blasting a flood infection form away from his friend. A hail of plasma from the flood caught the other Kig-yar who fell back clutching his chest. His armour breached and his chest singed.
"There!" Shouted Naridue as a phantom came into view.
"You'll be fine." The uninjured Kig-yar said lifting his friend over his shoulders.
The phantoms main turret opened fire clearing away large amounts of the flood. It stopped above them and the gravity lift started up. They let Able up with Angel first and then the Kig-yar. The Marines went next and Naridue and Thel went up. Xytan moved into the effect of the lift emptying the final mag of his weapon into a flood tank and tossing it away as he entered the phantom.
The hatch sealed shut and Xytan looked around. He moved to the Kig-yar to check if they were all right.
"Are you two going to be fine?" Xytan asked looking over the shoulder of the uninjured Kig-yar. The scars of his old wounds beginning to pulse with pain as the adrenaline began to wear off.
"Were good. It's just a few plasma burns." The injured Kig-yar said.
"Tórs division right?" Xytan asked and they both nodded. A small sound reverberated inside the Phantom. The pilot's voice came through it.
"Everyone get a good look. I'm opening the door." The pilot said. The right side door opened and Xytan walked over. He heard someone through the comms and listened in as the Sangheili ships charged up their glassing beams.
"All survivors aboard. Both human and Covenant. All remaining forces return to your ships. We're hunting that bastard Truth!" Shouted a Sangheili shipmaster.
The Sangheili ships began firing their beams of plasma and the surface of Earth began to burn. The marines looked away while Angel and the rest of Siqtar watched.
"It had to be done." Thel said with solemn.
"If one single spore of the parasite survives... This world is doomed." Zare acknowledged as the phantom flew by a ship. Xytan took in the scene standing there. Another memory coming back to haunt him...