Dark Memories

0001, October 19th, 2547[MILITARY CALENDAR/] Planet Reach, New Mombasa

Rumors of the rest we would be given were certainly true. After we were checked in and I filed the battle report, Jameson met with us and explained that the UNSC has agreed to award us with a full month's R&R for our work on the colonist planet. While I felt that it was a failed mission in all aspects, our concerns are brushed aside and we quickly found ourselves packing for our time on the planet below.

Reach is certainly a military hub. The orbital MAC's are a thing to be reckoned with. As we shuttled down to the surface, we passed through heavy radar and even a patrol ship that was making its runs.

Down on the ground, security ran its course and passed us through where we were checked into the planet.

I have never seen such a prosperous and beautiful planet. People bustling about in the cities, transports buzzing overhead, activity everywhere. The surrounding nature Is breathtaking and I find myself focusing more on the mountains than on the surrounding buildings.

I won't bore you with our adventures, but I will tell you that during those thirty-one days we stayed, we learned a lot about civilians and their way of life. In a way, we had a taste for it ourselves. It was a truly relaxing experience.

But at one point, I found myself in a bit of a daze. A little girl with tussled hair and dark pants passed me on the streets with her mother. She looked almost exactly like the one I had met once, years ago. Seeing that nameless girl on the streets brought back those terrible memories that I had banished from my memory. That night, it took me hours to finally go to sleep. But even sleep brought tormented nightmares of the child that changed everything for me.

It was three years ago that we had been assigned to a planet under siege. The Covenant found the planet and it was well on its way to being another one of the burned planets in the Alien military's wake. The air was constantly clouded by both UNSC and Covenant ships as well as the insistent rattle of exchanged weapons fire.

My team and I had fought on the frontlines for weeks until it came down to the very last standing city. The Covenant hadn't found it yet, but were getting close. We were put on escort duty for the Marines that were evacuating the frightened civilians. It wasn't our first time seeing such fear and chaos, so we handled it smoothly and like professionals.

We had been working all day to load the Pelicans, civilian transports, and just about everything that could get into space. When the Covenant finally arrived in the city, we thought we were ready.

We met up with the frontlines soldiers and helped them set up a barricade to repel the first wave of Grunts. A cluster of soldiers had been marching on the city for days instead of flying in due to the AA fire. A line of Warthogs made up the frontmost barricade, using their reinforced armor to protect the ODST's and Marines laying just behind them. A pair of Scorpion battle tanks lay slightly elevated on a dirt hill, pointing into the road, preparing to fire over the ground-soldiers heads. We were just behind the Warthogs, aiming through the firing gaps. 211 situated himself onto a mounted Gauss turret, ready to lay into the hostile soldiers.

When the first wave came, Grunt bodies lay piled high all around the incoming road, dead before they even got close due to the funnel-like shape of the pavement and surrounding hills. It was looking good until the third wave. A phalanx position of Hunters and Wraiths protected Energy Sword wielding Elites who were followed by much heavier infantry. The tanks took the Wraiths and more than half of the Hunters, but by then they were too close.

We fought hard to repel the Elites with the swords, but the covering fire from the Fuel rods was too much and toppled the first barricade and nearly incinerated 211 who had to dive from his vehicle to avoid the barrage. We were quickly overwhelmed and called a retreat before too many were lost.

We stayed behind the fleeing marines and soaked up most of the bullets and provided cover fire. It was a long run to the waiting evacuation Pelicans, but once we made it, we turned down the ride and decided to stay and help fight until the last minute. There were still plenty of civilians to help get out and lots of firefights to break up.

We fought our way through the throng of enemies and responded to numerous calls of help over all channels.

Dead bodies. That's what we were met with. I can guarantee that more than half of the calls died minutes after they went out.

Civilians lay lifeless in the streets, dead where they had gone down. The streets stained red, and not a single dead Covenant soldier to be seen. Sure we broke up skirmishes and helped evacuate UNSC personnel along with a handful of lucky civilians, but we were helpless to save the others.

The sun dipped into the horizon and the burning city was bathed in an orange glow that reached into the stars, crying out in agony from the violent attack. We knew a pull-out would be ordered soon, and each of us dreaded the moment the call went out.

The confrontation with the girl came an hour after sun-down. We had started searching a building for signs of life. I heard the Elite before I saw him. The heavy breathing coming through his closed helmet, and the clanking of its boots on the metal floor echoed carelessly through the halls. It thought it was alone, and it was wrong.

We tailed it for a good two minutes before a new sound appeared. The Elite laughed and we heard a small scuffling noise against what sounded like a vent, then there was a scream. The scream was shrill and startled each of us.

I happened to peek around the cover of the open doorway to see a tiny body being pulled out of an air vent, the host's leg attached to the scaled hand of the Elite.

Waiting to see what was happening, I kept my breath even and prayed that my visor wouldn't reflect any hint of light. I felt my hand brushing my Assault Rifle once the Elite picked the girl up and turned her to face him. The little girl had to be only six years old. Her dark hair fell in straight lines that were only interrupted by frazzled strands that seemed to illustrate the fear she felt.

I reacted without thinking once the Energy Sword flashed to life and illuminated both of them in its deadly glow. The Assault Rifle in my hands was held tightly in my arms as I hurled myself out of the shadowed doorway and straight into the Elite. He didn't even have to time react as I knocked him over and quickly turned the barrel of my gun on him.

He roared in surprise and scrambled backwards, his shields flaring, before standing up. He hadn't lost the grip on his sword and the Elite swiped it at my chest. I side-stepped around it and lunged at its chest, knocking the eight foot giant off-balance. 211 took the advantage and was right behind me with his shotgun. I could feel the weapon's blast as it slammed into the alien's armor and knocked him flat on its back where I stepped on his chest and finished him off with a brief burst of lead.

After reloading my weapon and checking on the other Spartans, I turned my attention to the child who was standing where the Elite had dropped her, looking positively terrified of the suited strangers who had appeared out of nowhere.

"What's your name?" I asked the girl, trying to sound as friendly as I could. "Anna," she answered hesitantly. "We're with the UNSC, Anna. And we're here to get you out. Where are you parents?" I asked her. She just shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "It's alright, we'll keep you safe," Kia says, and crouched down next to the girl with a gloved hand on her shoulder. "Who are you? Are you the ones with the space ships that drop from the sky?" she asked. "My daddy used to be one."

Knowing that she was referring to an ODST, I only shook my head. "We're different from them, Anna. But we want to save you, just like they would," I told her. That seemed to satisfy the little girl because she only nodded. "Now, stay behind my team and do as they say, okay? They'll keep you safe."

We radio in to the UNSC transports and found out that the nearest evac zone was fifteen minutes away. Having no other choice, we took the chance and begun making our way towards them.

The streets were eerily silent. Not even the sounds of gunfire reached them. Only the occasional crackling of a rogue fire, or the dying alarm of a civilian vehicle filled the empty roads. I suddenly felt bad for the little girl following closely behind me. She was silent as we passed by corpses of civilians who never stood a chance. The occasional military body sat mangled on the side, or in a vehicle, as well. I found her tiny hands holding onto my leg, grasping tightly to me in fear.

I heard a commotion up ahead and signaled to the others to stay put. I creep up ahead and found a pack of Jackals squabbling over a torn up corpse. The ugly bird hybrids carried basic Covenant infantry weapons. Needlers and Plasma Pistols. Fearing the hidden support of snipers, though, I slipped back and informed the others.

"I didn't see anyone else. They're likely just a rogue group. I don't want to take chances, though. Parkson, Kia, set up behind the first set of cars and watch the buildings for enemy support. 211, you stay with Anna. I'll take care of the Jackals we can see," I said and turn to Anna. "211 will take care of you. We'll be back soon."

The three of us move out and quickly took up position. The Jackals were still there fighting over the scraps. There were six of them. The colorful quills on their heads provided excellent markers in the deep shadows of the surrounding buildings. I switched to the Pistol on my thigh and took the safety off. I then gestured to the two Spartans behind me and counted to three before popping out of cover.

My first target went down hard. Before his body could even hit the pavement, the second and third Jackal found bullets penetrating their skulls. The last three Jackals screeched and scattered. Two didn't find cover in time and dropped with bullets in their bodies. The third managed to turn on his shield and avoid being shot. The round that was meant to kill bounced harmlessly off of the device. It crouched behind the shield and I could see the Plasma Pistol beginning to overcharge and knew I needed to end it before he made me vulnerable.

I took a grenade from my belt and rolled it hard so it came to a stop right next to the Jackal's foot. It had no choice but to dive to avoid being blasted. I quickly take advantage of this action and kill the alien in mid-roll.

A purple glare just above my line of vision made me lurch back into cover and narrowly avoid the deadly blast of a Beam Rifle. I turned my head to look at my Spartans who were watching over the car to find the sniper.

"Multiple contacts. Seventeenth floor balcony," Kia called out. Parkson flashed his acknowledgement light and I could see him moving ever so slightly to fix his barrel's gaze on one of the snipers.

Parkson shot two bullets, one right after the other, and signed two Kia for his kills. "Two remaining," Kia reported. I could see her focusing and waiting, until a few seconds passed and she killed both of her targets. "All clear," she called, appearing from behind the vehicle.

211 approached us with the girl and she instantly came to my side and held my hand, clutching it as tightly as a scared little girl could. "Looks like you've got an attachment, eh?" 211 said with a teasing tone. I just looked down at the girl and returned her grasp, assuring her that she would be okay. "Yeah. Lets get moving," I said and lead the way past the alien corpses.

It wasn't long after that when the evac zone came into view. Four Pelicans were parked side-by-side with marines rushing in between them like working ants. Civilians were loaded into them and just about ready to take off.

I could see the relief in Anna's eyes once a Marine turned to us to usher us in. But we never got inside of the gates.

I heard the Seraph before I saw it. It was an all too familiar sound that reached into my gut. I instinctively grabbed Anna and threw her under me seconds before the Seraph swooped down and unleashed is payload.

Flames spewed over my back and debris came inches from colliding into us. The explosion was unbelievably loud. It drowned out any thought other than primitive instinct. I clutched Anna tightly, afraid the the explosion would engulf her if I let go.

When the fire and chaos was done, my shields began to recharge and I rose off of the shocked child.

I made sure Anna was okay before checking on my Spartans. They checked out, aside from some scratches and burns, and I finally looked back at the evac zone.

Flames and debris met my gaze. No one survived the plasma blast. No one except for us. There was a charred body almost right next to me, and I made Anna look away.

I called for another evac zone, but no one answered. All I heard was silence. Silence over a channel that had once been filled with voices. It was ominous, and it was terrifying because I knew we were alone. No one would help us now. But that's what we have been trained for.

"We still have the Pelican a few klicks out of the city. We have to assume it's still there," Kia said, breaking the silence. "Lets move," I simply say. I reach down and pick the girl up, carrying her with both of my arms. I drop back and let 211 take the lead. I hold her head against my armor and keep her as safe as I can.

We made our way through the winding roads and across carnage covered streets. Charred husks of what once was layed with their insides bared for the world to see. A world that would soon go up in flames. Just like all of the others. I suddenly felt emotional for this girl. Her entire world was gone, everyone she knew was dead, and aliens had tried to kill her. I knew I felt a strong responsibility to get her out of it all. To help her survive to live a long life. She would outlast us all, and I knew it. Sometimes hardships like this make you hard as steel, if you let it.

We come across an obstacle when we reached the edge of the city. A barricade of enemies blocked the road with a Wraith and two Shade turrets as well as a plethora of ground troops. We knew there was no way we could get passed it, so we decided to take the chance and go around.

This plan would mean going through several buildings and finding a back exit to freedom. We would need to be on constant watch for enemies patrolling the inside. But due to the dangerous nature of this whole thing, I had to let Anna walk on her own. She trailed closely behind me, not wanting to leave in fear of ending up like everyone else.

We ran into very little opposition. A few single Grunts and some bored Jackals, but no Elites. Our luck held until the very last building.

With our fingers on the trigger and our eyes watching every shadow, we advanced through the building. I was aware of the growing dread in the pit of my stomach, but I pushed it aside to keep my senses focused.

The others have always told me I have an un-natural sense to see something invisible, to catch the slight distortion that flickers in a half of a second, to react to it like no other. But I think they are wrong. If that was true, then I wouldn't have lost her.

It all happened so fast. She was ripped away from me and held into the air by her throat. A shiver passed through the air and Anna suddenly seized up as two glowing blades stuck out of her chest. A four fingered hand emerged from thin air. Attached to it was a black armored Elite, another one with a closed helmet. The Elite then threw her body from his blade, and time seemed to come to a crawl as I watched the tiny lifeless form crumple to the ground with two holes straight through her body.

I was the first to react. I grabbed my own sword on my thigh and blindly charged the Elite with it activated. The Elite parried my first swing, but never saw the combat blade in my other hand. It buried itself past the hilt in his neck as I lunged viciously for him. I ripped the blade free and looked at his body in a blind rage. 211's call broke me out of it and I remember going to her body. Kia checked her vital signs...and pronounced her dead on the spot.

I didn't have time for mourning. We were still in a combat zone, and the Elite could have somehow alerted the others. I did not take the body, but I did free the brightly colored bracelet from her wrist and stow it in my pocket.

We escaped that doomed city and found our Pelican still waiting for us. Parkson kept the ramp down for a long time as we circled the city to let us watch the Cruisers drop from the clouds and cover its entirety with glass. I watched even as he pulled away and ascended into the heavens. It was only when Kia gently pulled me back that I finally sat down. I felt numb. I wasn't tired, I wasn't sad, I wasn't happy. I was numb. Too much had just happened. Too much. I didn't want to think about it.

I had my first dose of how cruel the war is that day. I had seen colonies glassed, I had seen families run for cover, I had seen enough death to last multiple life-times. But never have I seen something that gave you hope, gave you reason, only to rip it away and laugh mercilessly as it left you an emotional wreck. You know, it's bad to have someone die. But it's cruel to not let that person mourn in an appropriate way. It tears that person up from the constantly bottled emotions. It leaves deep scars that will never heal.

I know I changed that day. Looking back, I was too serious. I didn't allow myself to relax and have fun in any way. I guess it gave me a new lease on life. You see, you can take death in two forms. You can let it drag you into a dark emotional abyss of depression, or you can savour the light and make it part of your soul. I chose the latter, and let it make me who I am today.