AU: Sorry about taking a long while to upload, I was busy with work etc, I will be trying to upload daily more often anyways enjoy.
UNSC Pillar Of Autumn
Kelly's POV
The engineers thawed me out causing me to go into a coughing fit. They opened the doors with a Data pad in hand. "Corporal Kelly?" They asked me.
" Yep that is me." I responded. They nodded their heads and went down the hall.
Manny and Makoa then came into my view. " Hey Kells you want to go get some grub?" Makoa asked me.
" Yeah that would me nice." I responded.
Pillar of Autumn Cafeteria
After everyone gathered, we went to go get some food, now being joined by Manny's new girlfriend, and we arrived in the cafeteria. We all grabbed our meals and immediately started to chow down, especially Makoa's fat ass.
"So, uh, is anyone wondering what Command is planning?" Makoa asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"What do you mean?" I asked him before taking another bite into my sandwich.
" I mean, Reach was the second most important planet for us before Earth; now that it has fallen apart, what now?" He asked. Before I could respond, Manny set his water down and turned back to him.
"What do you think? We are planning our last stand back on Earth," He answered him
" That's it." Makoa scoffed.
" What do you expect us to do? majority of our fleet is gone, Reach fell, and rumor has it humanity only has a few months left to live." Manny said.
" But they don't even know Earth's location." Makoa said.
" Bro let's be real, they will eventually find it like they did Reach, my guess is we are going to make a jump back to Earth once we get the chance." Manny finished.
" That is a bit pessimistic Command must be coming up with something." Makoa denied.
A part of me wanted to agree with them but we all knew that our days are numbered, and we mostly are going to be fighting our last days on Earth.
" Frankie you been awfully quite, thoughts about this?" He asked him.
The other Marine Shrugged his shoulders. " What do you want me to say, I share the same opinion as Manny." He said.
" Carlos?" He asked our other squadmate.
"Bro, I just want to enjoy my sandwich right now." He said.
Makoa tried to get an answer from Rigo, Jesus, and Christian, but they were silent.
He looked at me, but I just shook my head.
" What about you two?" He asked Amelia and Sara.
" I don't know; I am a doctor, not a general." The blonde said.
"The only thing I care about is killing as many split-lips as possible." Sara grimly said, surprising everybody at the table. What followed was an awkward silence while everyone tried to eat their food.
The alarms then started blaring, scaring everyone. "Oh, come on, I am not even done with my sandwich yet." Makoa complained
A bunch of sergeants barged in, including Stacker, and started yelling at us to get moving.
" Hunter squad, get to the Armory and grab your gear! Also, you two civvies, consider yourselves officially a part of the Marine Corps. Now gear up double time!" He told us. We all got up from our seats and rushed to the armory. We went in as the area was crowded with other Marines gearing up for the upcoming fight.
Once I got to my locker, I opened it and started strapping on my armor, with my squadmates doing the same. Carlos grabbed his rifle and his extra sniper rounds, strapping it on his left shoulder pad, with a bandoleer also on his left shoulder. Sara and Amelia lined up at the quartermaster, getting their assigned gear. They were both given helmets and standard armor; the only difference was Amelia was given combat medic armor, with the medical symbol on her helmet and left shoulder, and a light rucksack.
Sara was given a regular helmet and had a few pouches added to her chest piece. They were both given MA5B assault rifles as well.
" Ever fired a rifle before?" Makoa asked the blonde.
She shook her head, making Manny scoff. "Great, two Civvies we have to babysit." He muttered. Makoa gently nudged him in the side.
"Ow, the fuck!" He complained.
" Can you not be an asshole for, like, 5 seconds?" He said. Before the other marine could muster up a response. Stacker shouted, "I can't leave the two of you alone without you guys starting another argument." He said
"Sorry, sir." Both Marines apologized. The sergeant sighed. "Anyways, onto more pressing matters." He said, turning away from the two.
" The armor suits you guys but doesn't change the fact that you two aren't marines. You're assigned to me. I expect you to follow everything I say. Is that clear?" He asked them. No problem from me." Watson said in her thick German accent.
" Got it." Sara responded.
He turned back to Makoa and Manny. " You two keep an eye on them." He ordered.
"What? Why do I have—I don't want to hear it. You two are watching over them, and that is final." Stacker interrupted Manny.
"Anyways, I hope you enjoyed your meals, because we got Covenant boarding craft incoming."
" No mames, they followed us from Reach?!" Carlos exclaimed.
" Why do you think we have you guys gearing up?" He responded.
"Well, this just fucking sucks." Manny said.
" You are telling me, alright Hunter-3, let's head out." Stacker ordered.
Everybody grabbed the rest of their gear, with Carlos grabbing his sniper.
" How the hell are you going to use that thing in here?" Makoa asked him.
" Don't worry, I will make it work." He calmly said.
The speakers came on with Cortona shouting orders " Attention all combat personnel, please report to your active station." She said, We all got out of the armory, heading into another room where other squads were gathering. With warthogs driving around.
"5th Platoon, secure airlocks on Deck 11. 14th Platoon, rendezvous with 22nd Tactical at bulkhead Charlie 14." Cortana said
"You heard the lady! Move like you've got a purpose!" Sgt. Johnson yelled. We all started lining up. "Damn, I didn't know Johnson was aboard the Autumn." Manny commented.
He walked in between the two columns of Marines. "Men, we led those dumb bugs out to the middle of nowhere to keep 'em from getting their filthy claws on Earth"'. But we stumbled onto something they're so hot for that they're scrambling' over each other to get it. Well, I don't care if it's God's own anti-son-of-a-bitch machine or a giant hula hoop, we're not going to let 'em have it! What we will let 'em have...is a belly full of lead and a pool of their own blood to drown in!"
" Am I right, Marines!" He screamed.
"Sir, yes sir!" We all yelled
"Uh-huh. Damn right, I am. Now move it out! Double time!" He finished.
We all then dispersed to our designated defensive positions.
Moments later
Covenant boarding craft were arriving by the dozens; the Marines were being stretched out thin. My squad were struggling to hold them back. They arrived at a airlock with a explosion going off, killing two Marines. The aliens were able to push them back to another corridor with crewman running away in terror, a few of them armed with pistols bravely fought alongside them.
" This is going to go to shit real quick!" Manny said behind a barricade, reloading his LMG.
" Less talking, more shooting!" Stacker yelled. Kelly popped out of cover, firing and killing one Elite, while two Marines carried their injured comrade away.
We kept on trying to hold them back, while the crewmen did their best with their pistols.
" Eat this!" Makoa screamed, tossing a grenade and killing two grunts. The marines held the line. Sara and Amelia were doing their best with the little combat experience they had. Being a doctor did have its perks, though, with the blonde helping the wounded. More Covenant showed up, however.
"Goddamn it, they just keep coming!" Rigo exclaimed. Carlos, meanwhile, aimed his sniper and aimed for an Elite. He fired two consecutive shots, the first breaking its shields and the second killing it.
Makoa looked over to Carlos in astonishment.
" Told you I would make it work." He responded nonchalantly.
" You can make fun of him later, Carlos, we have bigger problems right now. " Ashley told him
My squad kept on firing until the blast doors were finally activated.
" About fucking time!" Manny said. Out of nowhere another door opened, revealing the legend himself.
" Holy shit, I didn't know there was a Spartan with us!" Manny said, surprised.
"Sir, the captain wants you on the bridg P. Better follow me." Chips told him.
" Come on, Marines, move out!" Stacker ordered us. We went through another armor, following behind the Spartan, passing the wounded. The squad exited with more marines in another firefight.
The squad immediately joined the fray, but thankfully the blast doors closed quicker this time.
The group proceeded to follow Master Chief to the bridge and waited in the hallway.
" I wonder what they are talking about." Makoa asked.
" If they wanted us to know, they would have told us." Stacker answered him.
"Well, good thing we have a Spartan with us; now we can actually win this thing." Makoa said.
"Oh, like how they helped on Reach?" Manny responded about to start another argument.
" You know what, fuck you, Manny. Can you stop being a negative Nancy for once in your life?" He responded.
"Oh, give me a break, Makoa quit being an optimist and look at the writing on the wall." He said.
" Both of you shut it right now!" Stacker yelled shutting them up. A huge explosion then happened causing everybody to stumble over.
" What in the fuck was that?!" Manny yelled.
" Something not good!" I responded. Ashley shook her head in dismay, " This day keeps on getting better and better."
The Marines heard heavy footsteps, I turned and saw the Spartan approaching us magnum in hand. Watson looked at him with awe.
" Were with you Chief." Chips said with enthusiasm.
" Yeah get some!" Makoa added. The squad went out the hallway to be greeted with some grunts, They dispatched them with ease, and went into the cafeteria. The Spartan picked up a rifle off the ground. " Those Marines could use your help Chief. Do what you do best." Cortana said. The Spartan springed into action killing one alien after the other.
" I am so glad they are on our side." Carlos noted.
Extra Marines reinforced us by flanking the enemy through the other sets of doors, With Sergeant Johnson. " We got more coming through the back." Chip's said. Another Covenant squad came in with Elites and Grunts.
" Eat this!" Manny yelled throwing a grenade. A Elite dodged out of the way, before the it exploded killing three Grunts. Chief charged forward. Not before a grunt plasma charged it's pistol. The Grunt shot it's charge. Taking out his shields, but it didn't matter to him. He hit the Grunt with the butt of his rifle killing it.
He switched hit attention to the elites riddling one with bullets killing him. While the Marines dealt with the grunts. The Spartan switched to his pistol and shot the Elite multiple times destroying his shields. He charged forward punching the Elite killing the Minor.
" Keep your head down! There's two of us in here now, remember!" Cortana shouted.
The Spartan seemed to have ignored her and moved again.
" Stacker you and your men accompany the Chief, the rest of you hold this position. " Johnson ordered.
"Yes, sir, Master Sergeant. Marines, you heard the man. Move out." The other sergeant said.
More gunshots were heard in the next room. We rushed forward with Manny taking point. We arrived only to see that the room was already cleared out by the chief.
" Come on, Marines, let's move it!" Stacker said, breaking me out of my trance. We followed the Spartan through the corridors.
" These Spartans are badass." Manny commented.
"Yeah, no shit." Carlos responded. We kept moving until we heard more gunfire.
We turned a corner, and we saw an Elite firing at three marines. The chief snuck up behind it, took his knife out, and stabbed it in the neck.
The three Marines got out of cover and looked in awe at the Spartan.
" Hey look a Mark 5!" One said.
Another ran up too the dead Elite. " Don't try to play dead on me pal." He said shooting it.
" What the hell watch the crossfire!" Stacker screamed.
" The fuck you are doing, dumbass." Manny added.
" Oops my bad!" He responded. Everyone shook there head in disappointment.
" Are they letting anybody graduate boot camp these days." Makoa commented.
" Isn't the Marine branch supposed to be more disciplined?" Amelia asked,
Before we could grill him any further, another explosion happened casuing me to stumble.
" What the hell did something just hit us!?" One marine said.
" Move it back to the airlock!" Another yelled.
" You know I am starting to get sick of this shit!" Manny yelled.
You and I both.
Pandora Present day
The ride back to base was peaceful, everyone was still contemplating on what just happened, how the hell did the Insurrection get their hands on Covenant weaponry? Or better yet who gave it to them?
" Hey Celt." Makoa said shaking me awake. I opened my eyes to see we are back at base. " Rise and shine." Athena jokingly said.
I dismounted from the Warthog with the rest of my squad following behind me.
" So anyone else wondering how the innies got a fucking Scarab?" Manny asked.
" Not only that, but they got Covenant weaponry as well." Kat added.
A few more trucks came into the base; they started to unload the equipment from the battle, including plasma weapons.
"Well, at least the loyalists are packing some Plasma." Makoa commented.
" Sierra squad." Captain Li called for us.
"Yes," I said, turning to him.
" The general is waiting for you." He told us. I nodded my head as we started to make our way to the main entrance of the base. A few of the Loyalists started saluting us. " It was nice fighting alongside you, trooper." One said to me.
"Huh, looks like you are getting your own fan club, K-Celt." Makoa said.
" Is it just me, or is everybody staring at us with admiration?" Manny noticed.
" Get used to it." Kat said, smiling.
During the war I always held admiration for the Spartans. But I never thought I would be on the receiving end of it. When we finally got into the base, we were saluted by more of Massoud's men. Finally entering the command center. The general turned to us. " Sierra squad." He nodded to us. I saluted him, followed by everyone else.
" At ease." He told us.
Everyone gathered at the table as I slipped Athena into the console.
A 3D image of the Scarab appeared on the table. " Mind telling me what the hell that is?" He asked.
" That is a Scarab." Athena answered.
" And what exactly is that?" He asked again.
" More specifically, a Type-47b Scarab, used as a heavy assault platform, also used for deep excavation, and used as a mobile command base by the Covenant." Athena went on.
" They also are powered by Legolo worms that occupy the hunters; they typically have a crew o– Athena." I interrupted her before she went on a tangent.
"Oh, sorry." She quickly apologized.
" And how is it they were able to get their hands on this?" He followed up with another question.
Everyone shrugged. " How should I know? I haven't gotten a fucking clue." Manny said over our private comms.
" Can you not be an asshole for 1 minute?" Makoa responded.
" Can you two idiots not argue for 5 minutes?" Kat said.
" My guess is Covenant remnant." Athena told him.
" Isn't the Covenant supposed to be gone?" Massoud asked her.
"Well, considering they were a big empire, after falling apart, it will be safe to assume there will be some leftovers." She answered.
That is one way of putting it. I thought to myself.
" According to ONI, there is a Brute-led faction that is reportedly selling weapons to Insurrectionists." Kat said. We all turned our heads to her.
" And ONI didn't think to tell us that?" I said annoyed.
Manny shook his head " Just like the fucking spooks to not share their intelligence with us." Manny said.
" They are the organization that decided that kidnapping children and turning them into super soldiers was a good idea, no offense, Kat." Makoa said on our private comms.
Prompting Manny to hit him on top of his head.
"What the hell was that for?!" He complained.
" You shouldn't be going around saying classified material out loud." Manny scolded.
" This is public information, moron!" Makoa said back.
" In all honesty if it wasn't for the Spartans we would have been unprepared for the Covenant." Kat said.
" To be fair, weren't you guys created to fight human Rebellions at first." Makoa responded.
"Well, that is not stopping you from hitting on the lead scientist who created them." Manny snarked, making me facepalm
" Ok listen I am just being nuanced here I didn't say that the Spartans were entirely a bad thing." Makoa responded.
"Regardless of how they came into being, at the end of the day it was a good thing that ONI decided to kidnap a bunch of kids." Manny finished.
" Ok hang on, listen I am glad that the Spartans were created but would of it have been better if they just have taken adult volunteers instead? Like us." He responded.
" Makoa have you not been paying attention? 28 years ago they did not have technology for that!' Manny said back.
" Oh shit, I forgot." Makoa responded. Making Manny shake his head. " Fucking retard." He facepalmed.
"Uhmm, gentlemen, can we please focus on the task at hand." Athena interrupted them. Shi I totally forgot that Athena could listen to our private chats.
" Sorry." They both said, finally shutting up
" Listen as much as I want to debate morality, we have more pressing matters." Athena scolded
"Now I was also told the Rebels had plasma weapons." The General asked. I nodded my head, the general let out a sigh.
" You should be happy to know that your men were able to capture some." Athena said.
" I suppose that is good, but anyways let's turn to other matters." He said.
The overlay map then changed to what seemed to be a vehicle depot.
" This is an armored depot, it is filled with tanks and APCS, just enough for us to launch an assault on the city." He told us.
" I want your squad to launch an attack and capture the base for us. Any questions?" He asked us.
" How many men are guarding the depot?" Manny asked,
" Due to our recent incursions, there should only be about 50 men." He told us.
"Anything else?" He asked us; none of us responded.
"Good, you head out tomorrow, go get some rest." He ordered us.
Once the general dismissed us, I took Athena out of the console. As we headed to the barracks, I sat down on my bed as I removed my helmet and placed it on my desk everyone else settled in. Makoa already fell asleep right next to me.
" This guy is such a heavy sleeper." Manny said.
" Can you not hate on him for a day, Chavez?" Athena piped up giving Manny a sassy look.
" I am his brother; it's my job." Manny snarked. Causing her to roll her eyes.
" I swear I can't believe you guys were friends since childhood." She said.
" Stalker much." He joked.
" Manny just go to bed." I ordered him.
" I got it. I got it." He said, lying on his bed.
I took my armor off and finally relaxed into my bed. Everyone else was starting to fall asleep except for Kat, who was lying down on the ground.
" Not going to lie in bed, Kat?" I asked her.
"Nah, I'd rather sleep in my armor." She told me. Fair enough.
I pulled the covers over me and closed my eyes.
I opened my eyes and saw I was back on the first Halo ring. I looked around to see my teammates all dead, no infected. They all turned to me and, in a monstrous voice, said, "Jane, join us and become one." They all said I stumbled back as they slowly approached me. I then started running as floods started to surround me.
They jumped on me and latched on. "Noooo!" I screamed as the infection forms burrowed into my skin as I fall to the ground the pain is immeasurable. I kept on screaming in agony. " Join us." the voice said again.
" Join us."
I shot up out of my bed all sweaty, putting my hand over my heart. Damn it, the nightmares are starting to come back.
" Kelly" I looked over to see Athena worryingly looking at me.
" You ok?" She asked me.
" I am fine." I let out a sigh.
" Nightmares again?" She asked me.
" Yeah, out of all the times they are starting to come back, why now?" I whispered to not wake the others up.
" Was it about the flood again?" She asked me.
I nodded my head. "Are you sure you do not want to tell the rest?" She asked me.
" They have enough on their plate right now." I whispered back.
" Was it the same dream again?" She asked me.
" We will talk about it later." I said, trying to brush it off.
" Jane there is going to be a time when you are going to have to tell your squad about this." She told me.
" I was able to hide it for a couple of months, no reason to share with them now." I responded.
" You are going to have to tell them eventually." She sighed
I just rolled my eyes at her. " I am going back to sleep," I told her, going back under the covers.
Moments later
We all woke up and geared up for the next mission. We made our way to the hangar, where our Pelican was waiting for us.
" I know this is a bad time, but when is Ashley's team going to contact us?" Makoa asked.
" Once they make contact with the FP Resistance, they will radio us." I told him.
" But it has been two days; they should have gotten back to us by now." He told me.
" Stitch, don't worry, they are fine." Manny told him.
" If you say so." He said.
We took our seats in the Pelican as it took us to the vehicle depot.
In and out this should be easy.
" So just wondering, what are you guys planning after this?" Makoa broke the silence.
Everyone turned to him.
" What do you mean, bro?" Manny asked him.
" You know when we are all done with our military service, I mean we are not going to be doing this forever." He shrugged his shoulders.
Everyone remained silent, unsure on how to answer his question.
" I will go first when I am done. I am thinking about being a police officer." He said.
" You a cop? That would be a sight to see." Manny snorted.
" What about you bro?" Makoa asked him.
" Thinking about becoming a businessman, hell I only got one more year in college." He answered him.
" Sara?" Makoa turned to her
" Haven't thought about it yet." She shrugged
" Fair enough, you Chip?" He asked him
" Eh, I don't know about opening a bar or restaurant in Sydney." He answered.
" Kat?" he asked the Spartan.
" Really Stitch, I am a Spartan, I don't think I can retire." Kat said
" Fair enough, what about you Ke-Celt." He said almost saying my name.
"Well that's easy. " I want to be a teacher," I quickly answered him.
Everybody turned to me and gave me a questioning look.
" You a teacher?" Makoa questioned.
" Yeah, what? Don't think I will do a good job?" I asked him.
" It's not that I wasn't expecting you to pursue a career in teaching," He answered.
" On an off note I think you will make a good teacher." He complimented me.
" Do you want to be teaching a specific subject or?" He asked me.
" I am thinking specifically english." I responded.
" Make sure to not be preg– Ow hey I was just joking!" Makoa whined to me after I hit him.
" Your jokes are stupid Stitch." I told him, earning a chuckle from everyone else.
" I for one agree." Athena told me.
" Hey aren't you supposed to be on my side." Makoa complained
" That's another L." Manny snarked.
" Oh go fuck yourself" Makoa responded.
"We are almost there." our pilot said to us, stopping our conversation.
" Alright guys get ready." I ordered.
The Pelican flew low at our exfil and we jumped out. I landed on my feet and took in my surroundings. We were in the forest, and it was raining heavily. " We are about half a click out from the objective." Athena told me.
" All right, let's head out, people." I said.
We pushed through the forest without incident. Until finally we arrived at the base. Overlooking a ridge I zoomed in with my visor, for a vehicle depot it was lightly defended so we should have no trouble.
" My scans indicate only 30 guards." Athena told me. Well that is less than what Massouds scouts reported
" All right, Stitch provide Overwatch." I ordered.
" Copy that." He responded.
" The rest of you on me." I told everybody else. We made our way down. We split off into two teams. Sara, Kat and Chips went the other direction, while Manny and I went the opposite. We hopped the wall and took cover.
I looked behind my cover and spotted multiple armored vehicles, and Warthogs, I am starting to see why Massoud sent us here.
" Celt we got a small convoy moving in from the entrance." Makoa told me.
" Copy that, everyone hold position and wait for it to pass," I said.
Behind the container I saw the convoy stop.
The guard started speaking to the driver in Russian. When they were done. The convoy proceeded through the base.
" Athena catch anything they said?" I asked her.
" They are delivering supplies to one of their FOBS reasons why is unknown." She answered me. I nodded.
" It is probably not anything good." Manny commented.
We snuke through the Manny stopped me he pointed up to the guard tower. " Stitch." I said.
" On it." He said. He shot his rifle killing the guard.
" Nice shot," Manny said.
" What was that bro that sounded like you complimented me." He sarcastically said. We moved in between containers passing another two guards.
" Почему эти лоялисты сопротивляются нам? One of them asked.
"Какая-то чушь о желании остаться независимыми и от нас, и от UEG."The other guard answered.
" Athena?" I asked her, wondering what they were saying.
" Nothing of importance, just complaining about the Loyalists that are fighting them on this planet." she told me. We came across a door. It opened to our surprise. The guard widened his eyes but Manny tackled into him and stuck his knife into his neck, he put it his hand onto his mouth muffling any cries for help. Manny took out his knife as the man's life drained from his eyes.
He wiped off, the blood and I shut the door as we kept moving through. Another guard appeared. Manny grabbed him and stabbed his neck, pulling him into cover.
" Kat, any progress?" I asked her.
" Yeah, just sabotaging their communications." She told me.
I looked back and saw Manny planting bombs. " Preparing some fireworks for them ." He told me.
We kept moving through the building with ease. Manny stabbed another Rebel in the neck. We went upstairs to an office.
" Stitch, see anything interesting?" I asked him.
" Nada, just guards doing their regular patrols." He said.
Manny finished planting the last explosive.
I went upstairs and opened the door to an office with a bunch of papers and documents. "Celt, can you go look at those documents for me?" She asked nicely. I did as I was told and picked up the papers and skimmed through them.
" Next one." She ordered me to switch to the next piece; after analyzing 2 more, she had already quickly processed the information. That's a smart AI for you.
" Anything of interest?" I asked her.
" The documents were just going over some basic supply shipments, nothing interesting. However, there are talks about a big plan that the insurrection high command is planning." She told me.
" Oh my, the Innies are planning something. Who would have thought?" He sarcastically remarked.
Making Athena rolls her eyes on my HUD. " I swear, Manny, I sometimes prefer Stitch's sarcasm more than yours." She remarked.
Making Manny clutch his chest " No shot you actually prefer the retard's commentary over mine." He said, pretending to be offended.
" Believe it, bucko." She responded.
"Kat, any updates?" I asked, ignoring the two's banter.
" Sabotaged their long-range communication so they can't call for reinforcements." She told me.
" Good, Manny, let's go; we are heading out." I told him.
" What about the documents?" Manny asked me.
" Athena practically memorized it; we will be fine." I said, brushing past him. We went back downstairs and were interrupted when an innie burst into the warehouse, running away from something.
" Cyka Blyat!" He screamed before getting shot in the face by Kat.
I looked up at her. "Kat, what the hell? We were supposed to take them out quietly!" I yelled at her.
" Calm down, we took out the rest already." She told me.
" How the hell did you do that?" I questioned.
" 20 rebels is light work for me, not to mention with the help of Scar and Chips I was able to do it in under 10 minutes." She told me.
" Here I will show you." She said, leading us to the exit. When we were outside, dead bodies were scattered all over the place, and the depot was unsettlingly quiet, making a shiver run up my spine.
" Damn, you Spartans never cease to amaze me." Makoa commented over the comms.
" We technically are ones, moron." Manny responded.
" Ah technically not, remember hybrids." He responded.
" Still simping for the doctor even when she is not here." Manny continued insulting him.
" Just making an observation." He responded.
" That's enough you two, you guys are giving me a headache." I told them shutting them up.
" Athena notify Massoud that we captured the base, let's get moving before reinforcements show up." I told her.
" Already on it." She responded.
Moments later
The Loyalists came quickly and started gathering the much needed tanks and armored vehicles.
" Come on brothers, I want to get this done quickly." One officer said to the men, " Yes sir Sgt Farhed!" they responded.
They started loading up the extra supplies.
The dead rebels, thanks to Kat, were already stripped of their gear.
We all met up in the base's courtyard.
" So are we going to tell General Massoud about the Innies plan?" Makoa asked me.
" Good idea, bro! Let's tell him about the plan that they are planning, that they are planning. You're a genius!" He sarcastically said.
"Hey, better than leading him in the dark." Makoa defended himself.
I stood in between them too. " Let's not, please. I really want peace and quiet, especially after a mission." I groaned in annoyance.
" When you two are going to make out already." Kat joked.
" Eww were brothers that's incest." Manny clutched his chest pretending to be disgusted.
Kat shook her head chuckling. I then heard the sound of Pelican as it flew over the base and landed.
" Troopers, your ride is here." Sgt. Farhed told us I said thank you while the sgt gave us a thumbs up, He turned around and quickly started barking orders at his men.
We all loaded into Pelican one by one with Makoa and Kat sitting by my side.
" Another successful mission." Athena said, satisfied. I nodded and rested my head on Makoa's shoulder and went to sleep.
Makoa's POV
I looked to my left and watched as Kelly fell asleep, surprised she was sleeping in her armor.
" Hey Makoa, do you have a crush on Kelly?" Athena abruptly asked me, catching me off guard I almost fell out of my seat.
" Uh, say again?" I muttered out glad I was wearing my helmet because I was bright red flushed with embarrassment.
The AI rolled her eyes at me. " I said," Do you have a crush on her?" She asked me again.
I took a big gulp as I turned more red.
" Ha ha ha ha." Manny laughed.
I immediately turned to him annoyed. " I hope not because there is no way she would date somebody like you." He continued laughing.
" If I remember correctly, I asked him, not you." She replied sassily
Manny put his hands up " I am just saying not to mention she is gay, so."
" Well my question still stands." She responded.
" You really couldn't have said this over private comms." I complained to her.
She shrugged her shoulders at me " Didn't see the need to." She told me
I shook my head. " Didn't see the need to." I said to myself.
Manny looked at me. " Well, are you going to answer her?" He asked me. I grimaced at the prospect but seeing I have no choice well. " When I was younger I may have had a crush on her." I answered her.
She beckoned for me to continue." She shot me down when I asked her out, stating I was more like a brother to her, we are honestly more like siblings than anything. Trying to date her would feel weird. Not to mention she is into women, not men." I finished. She nodded at me satisfied with my answer.
" Not to also mention he is into a certain doctor and older lady." Manny mocked me. Making me and Athena roll our eyes.
"I still can't believe you are into someone who is much older and, not to mention, colder." Kat said to me.
I shrugged my shoulders " She looks amazing even though she is shooting seventy, not to mention she is smart, intelligent, and overall pleasing to be around." I answered honestly.
" Talk about opposites attracting; everything she is, you aren't." Manny joked.
" Can you not make fun of him for 5 seconds?" Kat said.
"Also, you do realize you are dating someone who is a borderline psychopath, right?" She told me.
I widened my eyes, looking at her like that mattered, considering I was wearing a helmet.
"Hey, she may be cold, but I wouldn't go so far as to say she is a psycho." I defended her.
"Don't be surprised when you are just a boy toy to her." Manny joined in
"Hey, listen— let's also not forget she kidnapped children and turned them into supersoldiers, so I won't put anything past her." She warned me.
I was about to reply, but I could not retort for whatever reason. I mean the means justify the ends when it comes to the matter. I mean, if we didn't have the Spartans, we would have been screwed. So she had no choice, or did she? I questioned. Before I could go into deep thought about it, the pilot told us we were close to reaching the base.
When we landed on the pad, I woke Kelly up. She groaned a bit.
" Good morning, sleepyhead." I told her.
"Bro, it is like 11:00 pm," Manny snarked.
I rolled my eyes at him. I am not even going to respond. She got up from her seat and stretched her arms, while I holstered my rifle. We all dismounted the Pelican and headed inside the underground base. However, I noticed a plethora of wounded men to the point they were outside of the hallways.
" Jeez, did the base get attacked?" Manny asked.
We continued to the elevator and took it down to the operations room. Stepping out, I saw more wounded.
We walked through the hallway; medics came by, dropping more wounded men off.
" Did we just miss something?" Makoa asked.
" I am checking loyalists comms," Athena told me.
"There are multiple insurrection incursions across this sector." She told me.
" That explains the wounded." Kat commented.
We continued walking down the hall, reaching the command center. Massoud was there with a few of his leadership staff.
"Ah, you're back." He said, Happy to see us. We all lined up and saluted him. He passed back a data pad to one of his men.
" I heard the mission was a success." He continued.
"Yes, we captured the depot." I answered him.
He nodded his head. " That is good to hear," he said.
" Sir, mind telling us what is happening?" I abruptly asked him.
He looked up at me. " Insurrectionists have been increasing their attacks on my outposts and bases; they have been really hitting us hard." He told me.
" Should we be worried?" I asked again. He shook his head. " We should be fine; however, enough about that, we made contact with your other squad." He told me.
"Comms are ready, sir." One of his men said.
" Put them through." The general said.
" Celt?" That was Ashley's voice.
"Ash, hello, were you able to rendezvous with FP forces?" I asked her.
" Yes, we were, you should see their base, it's awesome." She told me.
" Is he willing to work with the UNSC?" I asked her.
" He said he is willing to go to the table but has some requirements." She answered me.
"Good, we will patch him through to the— We are picking up inbound signatures coming in fast." One of the Loyalists interrupted me.
" How the hell did they find us?!" Massoud yelled.
"Celtwhat is going on?' Ashley asked me.
" We are under attack; we will have to continue this conversation later." I said, cutting off the comms.
" What the hell is going on!" Makoa yelled.
" The insurrectionists, they found us!" Captain Li shouted.
" Everyone on red alert, we need to hold them off and evacuate the wounded." Massoud ordered Everyone started scrambling to get ready for the attack.
"Orders, general?" I asked him. He turned to me. " Have your squad defend the main entrance; I need two to help me clear the command center.
" Got it, Manny, Stitch, and Kat with me. Sara Chips, stay with the general." I ordered. "Rog,"they responded.
" How much longer until they arrive?" Massoud asked.
" They are pushing back our outer defenses; they will arrive within 2 minutes!" One of his men responded.
" Have every able-bodied man at the ready. We are cleaning up shop we cannot let them get their hands on our intel." The general ordered
" Celt hook me up to the base's main frame. I could do a lot more from there." Athena told me. I took the chip out of my helmet and put her in the console.
" Make sure nothing happens to her." I said to Sara. She nodded to me.
"Helljumpers, follow me to the main defense line." Captain Li ordered us. We followed him out of the room into the next area, where Loyalists were preparing their defenses.
" Get those turrets up and watch your fields of fire." One sergeant said.
" Allah, how did they even find us anyway?" One asked.
" Navernoye, prosto uchuyal tvoy zapakh." The other responded in Russian, chuckling.
"Hey, bite me. I'm sick of hiding anyway." The other Loyalist bantered back.
" Cut the chatter." The sergeant barked. This is some Deja vu. We continued through, arriving at the elevator with other Loyalists.
" We got Innie Pelicans and Hornets!" A loyalist said on the radio.
" How many of them!?" Another asked.
" 3 pelicans and 4 no make them 5 hornets we got commandos fast moving down, they have plasma weapons!" The Loyalist finished.
" Get a fireteam on the roof!" The other Loyalist said.
The elevator stopped and we exited being met with more men setting up their defensive positions.
De Lafayette was also here, or his real name Nickolia, an odd name for a frenchmen.
" Nice to see you here." I said fist pumping him.
" What's the situation?" I asked him.
" Innies are coming in fast, we have to hold the line so we can get the wounded out." He told me. I nodded. " Kat, Manny help defend the main gate. Stitch you are with me. We went up the stairs along with 5 other men onto a balcony with a chaingun on top, I mounted it while Makoa pulled out his sniper.
Down below us, Kat and Manny joined the defenders as they braced for the upcoming attack. A few Pelicans landed, dropping off troops. One of the Loyalists armed with a rocket launcher took aim and shot one down.
Starting the attack run came 3 hornets shooting their missiles and machine guns, taking out a few of Massouds men. I shot my chain gun and took one down, causing it to crash down in the courtyard.
The door to the main gate was blown off, and the Innies poured in. Wearing black and green armor with Green Fatigues and some urban camo, they looked to be a different unit.
The loyalists immediately opened fire, I fired my chain gun taking many of them down. One innie came out with a fuel rod cannon. " Stitch!" I yelled for him.
" Athena got any information on these guys?" I asked her.
" I got him." He calmly said. He shot him taking his head off, as more innies poured in, the loyalists were sustaining casualties despite Kat and Manny's best efforts, but we were still holding on, just barely. I kept on firing the machine gun, doing my best to hold them off, but more kept on coming in; they really wanted to take this base.
" Analyzing, from what I gathered, they are the Ironside 4th Assault Brigade, with the 4th Commando Unit." She told me.
" These guys are well geared." Makoa noticed.
" Doesn't matter; they will all die the same." Manny added,
We put up a hard defense, not allowing them to breach the base. " Eyes on a fuel rod." Makoa said he shot his rifle, taking out another Innie. Another wave came in through the gate, with Loyalists casualties increasing. " They just keep fucking coming!" Manny screamed, shooting his machine gun. The Innies popped smoke to conceal their advance. " Blyat I can't see anything!" One Loyalist yelled.
" Just shoot through the smoke!" Another yelled.
" Hold on, I am detecting another wave of dropships." Athena said. I heard a faint alien nose overhead make that multiple. Makoa turned to me, knowing very well what that noise was. Flying over us were two Phantoms, their doors opened and out came Brutes and Grunts with the Innie emblem on their armor. The Officer let out a roar as the Covenant squad engaged us.
" Brutes!" Kat yelled.
" You gotta be kidding me, what are these dumb apes doing here!?" Manny yelled.
" Fucking Innies must have paid them off or something!" Makoa yelled back.
" We can theorize later; right now just hold them back!" I shouted at them. The brutes advanced up, killing a few of our allies and pushing them back. However, we got payback, killing a few Minors and Grunts. Kat charged forward and stabbed one in the neck while Manny was laying down suppressive fire. Makoa aimed his sniper and fired three consecutive shots, taking out the officer and causing the remaining brutes to go into a rage.
Kat did her best to hold them off and not get close to any of the loyalists, but one broke through and charged Manny. He kept shooting, breaking its shields, but it simply kept on eating bullets. It grabbed Manny. " Oh shit, not again!" He screamed before being slammed into the ground. It started punching him. Makoa took aim at its head; he shot his rifle, killing the Brute and saving Manny.
" Dumb Monkey." He murmured.
" Hornets coming in for another gun run." Athena told me.
I looked up and saw three of them flying towards us. I shifted the machine gun and immediately started opening fire, joined by the Loyalists at my side and Makoa. I took one out as it blew up in a fiery explosion. Koa shot 4 times, taking out another engine, causing the second one to crash in the courtyard. I tried shooting at the last one. But it shot its machine gun and rockets. Once they impacted us, it knocked me down, destroying the turret and killing two men.
" Fuck, the bastard took out my sniper!" Makoa angrily said.
" We need to get off this balcony!" he said, grabbing at my feet.
We ran back inside, followed by more explosions.
"Shit, we got more Brutes incoming. Celt, we could use some backup!" Manny yelled.
Before we could go downstairs, the bunker's walls to our right blew up, killing 2 Loyalists. A spirit flew by right next to the blown-up wall. It opened its doors and dropped off Brutes, Grunts, and Rebels.
" Contacts!" One Loyalist yelled. The Brutes opened fire with their Spikers, hitting one of our allies, piercing his arm into the wall. "Aahhh, Medic!" He screamed in pain. One of them tried to yank the spike off, but it was nailed deep in the concrete.
We returned fire, easily taking out half of the grunts.
" Die UNSC Dogs!" An innie screamed, pulling out two grenades and charging forward. Makoa shot him in the face; the grenades dropped to the ground. " Get Down!" I yelled.
The grenades exploded, taking out the rest of the Grunts and the shields of the Minor Brutes. Makoa and I peeked out of cover, taking the two out. The officer let out a huge roar and threw its weapon to the side and charged forward. We shot our weapons, eventually breaking its shields; however, it kept charging. It grabbed the nearest loyalist and beat him to death; it switched to another one and threw him out of the second floor. It charged at me as I ran out of ammo for my rifle. I tried reloading, but it was quicker. Out of nowhere one of my allies shot it in the chest with a shotgun, stunning him. The Brute let out another roar, before I punched it in the face, I pulled out my sidearm and shot it multiple times in the head, killing it.
" Clear!" A loyalist said.
"Trooper, give me a hand here." Another said, still trying to pull the spike from the wall. I went over, and thanks to my super strength, I pulled the spike out; the man yelped in pain. The medic set him down near a crate and started tending to him.
"Celt, we need some reinforcements. Kat and I are doing our best, but there are just so many Brutes!" Manny screamed.
" On our way! Stitch, get the door!" I ordered. He nodded to me. But before he could open it, an innie popped out of nowhere with a knife, trying to stab him. Makoa twisted his arm, breaking it and stabbed him in the neck with his own knife, slamming him into the wall.
" Fucking traitor," He spat.
He kicked the door open, and we went down the stairs.
We spotted Nickolia carrying one of the wounded over his shoulders.
" Blyat! We need some reinforcements up here." He said.
As we passed the injured Loyalists and made our way outside. Dead bodies of Insurrectionists and Massouds men littered the ground. Manny and Kat were in the front trying to hold the line with our allies bravely defending with them. I pushed up and switched to my grenade launcher and shot it in the air, killing two Innies and a grunt. A Brute let out a war cry before charging at us. We all focused fire, quickly killing the large beast. I reloaded my launcher and shot it again.
"Fuck, I am running low on ammo." Manny said, reloading his LMG.
" Fuckers just keep on coming!" Makoa complained.
I shot my grenade launcher a third time.
" Athena how much longer before Massoud gets all his wounded men out?!" I asked her.
" If we are not interrupted for about 40 minutes." She said nonchalantly.
" Well that's just great." Makoa said sarcastically.
I kept shooting my rifle, taking out a grunt. A Grunt with a Needler shot one of our allies. Once all the spikes consecutively hit him, he blew out his torso. Makoa aimed and took the little shit out with a headshot. " Warning, I am picking up incoming dropships." Athena warned.
2 Phantoms came into view. The first opened and dropped off Brutes and Grunts, the second dropped two pairs of Hunters with the Innie Symbol painted on their shields and shoulders.
" What the hell are those things?!" One Loyalist panicked.
The Hunters pushed up and started laying down fire, with the Brutes and Grunts providing support. There beams liquidating Massoud's men. We returned fire with a lot of our bullets bouncing off their armor.
One of the Loyalists pulled out a rocket launcher and aimed at the pair. He shot it off, hitting the hunter and destroying its front and back plates.
I pushed up and threw a sticky grenade, landing on its shield. It exploded, stunning it while the Loyalist shot it again with his rocket, finally killing it. Its brother let out a large roar and charged at us.
" Oh Shit!" Makoa screamed. I jumped out of the way as it hit Manny, making him go flying and land on his ass. Makoa and Kat opened fire, angering it even more. Makoa dodged out of the way before it slammed its shield onto the ground. Kat rushed forward and jumped onto its back, shooting it with her sidearm and taking out its backplate as it roared in pain and tried to shake her off. Kat held on as she pulled out a grenade and shoved it into its back. She jumped off as the grenade exploded, tearing the Hunter's body in two.
"Fuck, I forgot how tough those things were." Makoa commented. We helped the Loyalist take out the stragglers.
" Clear!" Kat yelled. I walked up to Manny as he was still rubbing his ass. " You good, bro?" I asked him.
"Yeah, my ass just hurts." He grumbled.
" Kelly head back inside the base; innsurectionist forces have broken in." Athen told me.
" How the fuck did they get in?" Manny asked, frustrated, still rubbing his ass.
" You can ask them when we meet them, Manny." I told him.
"Kat, stay here and help the loyalists secure the front gate. Manny, stitch with me." I ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." Kat responded, picking up one soldier to his feet.
Manny and Makoa followed me back to the bunker entrance as Massoud's men were all over the place transferring and helping the wounded, while sergeants and squad leaders were barking out orders. The elevator came up, dropping off more reinforcements. " Damn Helljumpers, I am glad you are on our side. Let's go hop that elevator." Nikolia said
The four of us went into the elevator, while Nikolia pressed the button taking us down. "Fuck, I used half my ammunition in that fight." Manny said.
" Maybe if you weren't mag dumping, you wouldn't have that problem." Makoa snarked at him
"Bitch, I am using an LMG. What else am I supposed to use it for? Also, I don't have any magazines." He sarcastically said, pointing to ammo belts wrapped around his chest.
" Oh my god you get my point about mag dumping." Makoa still argued.
" Bitch! I have an LMG!" He shouted back. Before they continued, the elevator door opened. " Troopers were with you." One said.
"Yeah, get some." The other said. The two led us down the hall further into the base. We kept going through the halls until coming up next to the door. I pressed the button, opening it. A plasma grenade flew past me and landed on the warthog, blowing up in fiery smoke and killing the gunner. Massoud's men were getting hammered, evident by the amount of dead bodies that littered the floor. " We got jackals!" Makoa yelled.
Manny immediately deployed his machine gun and opened fire, taking out the grunts Makoa and I tossed our grenades, giving our allies some breathing room. Once we regrouped, we pushed the innies back along with their Covenant allies. I shot my grenade launcher, killing another Brute.
" Push them back, Yallah!" One sergeant ordered. We helped the Loyalists, with the grunts panicking.
"AHH, imps!" One Grunt flailed as he tried running away, only for Manny to kill it with a kick to the face. Killing the last Brute, I took point. " Celt take a left; Massoud's men could use your help in the hangar." Athena ordered, "Roger." I responded. I followed her instructions and went into another room filled with dead Loyalists and rebels.
" This is starting to remind me of Africa," Makoa said.
" Yeah, still wondering how the innies got these Brutes." Manny asked.
" My theory is they bought them from the zoo." Makoa joked. Proceeding down the hall, we took another left, entering the hangar with Loyalists barely holding out against the innies. Making it worse, it seems the Covenant were with them as well. " Any available fireteams, respond to the barracks; insurrectionists are pushing in!" The speakers said.
I snuck up behind a grunt and stabbed him in the neck. " It's an imp!" One Grunt panicked, causing the others to run. " Cowards, useless runts!" A Brute yelled, frustrated. Taking advantage of the panic, the Loyalists and we launched a counterattack. Killing the grunts with ease. The rebels did their best and returned fire. Manny suppressed them as one of the Brutes charged forward at me, but it was quickly cut down when we focused fire, destroying its shields. We killed of the stragglers before another phantom came in, dropping off more troops, including a Cheiftan. They pushed forward.
Makoa grabbed a machine gun and joined Manny in suppressing the enemy. The Grunts bore most of the casualties at the start, but not before the Brutes armed with their spikers and Brute shots we started to sustain casualties of their own. One Loyalist found that out when he was blown off the turret, instantly killing him.
I shot my grenade launcher, killing two Brutes. However, despite the losses, they pushed forward, with the Jackals absorbing the fire. Manny and Makoa threw their grenades, destroying the shield wall. While I shot another grenade. Most of the Jackals and Grunts were dead, with only a few Brutes and rebels left. The Cheiftan charged forward, swinging its gravity hammer and killing one of our men. It shifted focus and killed another, making him go flying into the wall. " Blyat!" One screamed before the Chieftain slammed his hammer into him, now killing three. Makoa and Manny tried to shift their attention to him; however, the other Brutes had them occupied. I now focused my attention on the Brute leader and opened fire, its powerful shields simply absorbing my bullets. It charged forward, swinging its hammer. I dodged it; it turned around, snarling at me. I shot it again, with a few of my allies joining me. It swung his hammer at Me again. But I ducked under it. We kept shooting until finally its shields went out, stunning him.
He let out a loud roar and tried to attack me again I ducked under him and jumped onto his back, pulling out my knife. I stabbed him in the neck, killing him. The damn ape choked on its own blood as I got off him. It fell onto the ground with a huge thud, and as we cleared out the rest of them, Manny and Makoa killed the rest of the Brutes with ease.
" This hangar is clear, brothers." One sergeant yelled. A bunch of pilots and medics came flooding into the hangar bay. The Pelicans landed, and they started loading up the soldiers and wounded. Once done, they flew out of the hangar. Celt meet back in the command center." Athena ordered. We left, following Nikolia and the two loyalists out back into the hall. Another explosion hit, causing us to stagger back.
" Blyat, did something just hit us?!" One Loyalist screamed.
"Let's keep moving!" Nikolia said. We sprinted our way back to the OP center, going through the hallways. " Someone give me a sitrep on the barracks; I lost contact with the fireteams there." Massoud ordered.
I opened the next door, letting us get into the next room. "Trooper, this way." One Loyalist told me, followed by a series of explosions.
" What the fu—" A loyalist was stomped to death by a brute jumping on him before he could finish. Covenant and Innies poured in, ensuing in another gunfight. I slide behind cover, opening fire and killing two rebels. The brutes shot off their spikers and brute shots. Manny and Makoa opened fire with their LMGs, taking out huge numbers of Rebels and Innies. I killed another Brute with a headshot. While Nikolia tossed a grenade, killing the last two.
Causing the captain to go into a rampage, charging towards Makoa.
" Oh shit!" He screamed, dodging one of its punches. Manny turned to his right and aimed at the captain and riddled it with bullets, killin it.
" Dumb ape!' One Loyalist said, Shooting its dead body.
" Room is clear." Nikolia said. The door to the OP Center opened, letting us in; passing the soldiers guarding the entrance, we made our way back to Massoud. In the room they were arming a bomb.
" Helljumpers, have a look at a little going-away gift for the Rebels." He told us.
" My assumptions were correct; they seem to have taken the barracks." Athena said, appearing on the desk.
"Troopers, I've got a new task for you." Massoud told us.
" Let me guess, clear the barracks out and save your men?" I asked him.
" Correct and take your AI with you. I have no need for her. Scar, help me load the remaining wounded into the Pelican." He ordered.
" Celt yank me from the console." She told me. I took out the Chip and inserted it into my helmet.
As the AI chip inserted, my HUD popped up. With Nikolia and two others, we went to the other exit. " Let's go save those men." Nikolia said, as I opened the door and we started running down the hallway.
" With all due respect, do we have something better to do than save some strays?" Manny commented.
" Manny bro, Brutes are holding them prisoner, and we both know what they do to them." Makoa snarked back.
" They were hired by the innies, it may be different." He responded.
" You honestly think the rebels care what happens to their prisoners." Makoa shot back.
" Good point." Manny said.
Opening the next door, we went into another room with another ensuing gunfight, with Loyalists getting their shit kicked in by a brute pack. A whole bunch of minors, captains, and great another Chieften. We charged forward, opening fire,trying to relieve some of the pressure that was being put on us by them. I rushed up killing a minor and kicking another in the face. It roared out in anger only to be killed by Makoa. I turned to him, and he gave me a thumbs-up. I nodded and pushed up with Nikolia and two others, " Brute shot!" I yelled, tackling Nickolia into cover as the shots went off. Our allies followed suit as the Brutes counterattacked and surged forward. Manny and Makoa did their best to suppress. I tossed a grenade. It went off, killing 3. "Celt to your left!" Athena screamed in my ear I jumped out of the way as a brute barely missed me. It let out a roar and charged at me. I dodged its attack and jumped onto its back, stabbing it in the neck. The brute fell to the ground dead.
"Thanks, Athena." I said, "We ain't out of the woods yet; more Brutes are coming our way." She told me.
" Fucking how many of these dumb apes are there?" Manny said, frustrated. Nikolia and two others readied their grenades and tossed them. The three landed, causing a huge explosion that killed a good portion of them. I charged up, killing two Minors. Another came to my side: " Celt!" Athena warned me, " I got it." I responded,
Dodging another and backhanding it in the face with my gauntlet. I opened fire with my rifle killing it. Manny and Makoa pushed up killing the rest with ease, leaving the Chieftan to me. It charged towards me with its gravity hammer. I loaded my launcher and shot it, hitting the Brute directly, causing it to blow up into pieces.
"Well, there goes my last grenade round." I said in dismay.
" Didn't go to waste at least." Manny told me.
" Let's keep moving. The rest of you head to the hangar bay." Nikolia ordered.
"Yes, sir!" The men responded. Leaving the next room, we went in the opposite direction, going into the other room and heading down a ladder. When Manny finally climbed down, we ran down the hall, opening another door into another room just outside of the barracks.
" Alright, Brutes have prisoners, so check your fire and watch out for friendlies." I ordered.
" That means don't shoot them, Manny." Makoa sarcastically said.
"Yeah, no shit." He responded.
Nikolia opened the door, and as we entered, the room was filled with the dead bodies of Loyalists and a few rebels.
" AHHH!" A loyalist screamed being thrown into a support beam.
" Fuck me." Manny grimaced.
We took a turn the cover and went behind the crate. Looking over, I saw three Brutes with two prisoners and two innies.
"Alright, you can take these two; the rest are coming with us." One innie, said.
"Ah, finally some fresh meat." A brute, he said, licking his lips.
" Fucking bastards." Manny said.
" Let's go ruin their party." I said. We opened fire, quickly dispatching two Brutes. The Rebels retreated back. While the Brutes charged forward. We quickly took the two minors out with ease. The prisoners jumped to their feet and ran back to grab some weapons. We moved up, turning the corner to be greeted with more brutes and two more prisoners. Opening fire, we started clearing out the room, pushing them back. Freeing the two prisoners, Nikolia handed them weapons, and they joined the fight.
I fired my rifle, killing a captain, and we finished the rest off with a grenade. We kept moving through the barracks to be greeted with more Brutes and a Chieften with a plasma cannon. It immediately opened fire, forcing us into cover while the rest provided support. We returned fire, easily killing the two Rebels accompanying them. " Eat this!" Manny screamed, tossing a grenade. It exploded, killing two. I pushed up, focusing fire on the Cheiftan, while my squad dealt with the rest. My shield absorbing any plasma fire thrown my way. Once I got close enough, I kneed it in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. I riddled its face with bullets, killing it. Manny and Makoa killed the remaining Brutes off, and we were able to free the rest of the prisoners.
"Yallah, up on your feet, soldiers!" A sergeant said.
" Cyka Blyat! Payback time, you fucks!" Another said enthusiastically.
They armed themselves and joined us. We took out some stragglers, and the barracks were finally clear.
" We did all we could; let's get the survivors back to the hangar." Nikolia commented. I opened the next door, and we exited out, heading to a large elevator. Once everyone was inside, we went up. To the top hanger.
"So, uh, what is next after this?" Makoa asked. "How should I fucking know?" Manny responded.
" My guess is after this we are going to be meeting with Dragovich to hash out a deal and launch a counterattack." Athena answered.
" Hopefully we will be able to after this." I responded.
The elevator opened, and we exited, heading to the landing pad. The door to our right blew off, and in came Brutes.
" Take those bastards out and clear the hangar bay!" Nikolia said. The Brutes and Rebels shot at us as we went behind cover; we returned fire Killing a few. Nikolia tossed a grenade, killing two rebels. But pushing through the smoke, another Chieftan with a gravity hammer. It charged forward, killing the nearest loyalist, smashing him into the floor. I quickly shot at it, trying to divert its attention from the rest. It worked too well, as it turned to me angrily and let out a roar. " Oh shit." I said as it charged at me, I jumped out of the way, Manny came to my aid and jumped onto his back shooting it, enraged, the brute reached back and grabbed Manny and tossed him into a bunch of crates.
" AHHH!" he screamed
" You are going to pay for that, you dumb Gorilla!" I said enraged.
It let out another roar and swung his hammer at me again I jumped up, kicking it in the face, knocking its helmet off. I pressed my rifle to its face, and I pulled the trigger, killing it. We took care of the rest with ease, as Manny came from behind the crates.
" Manny you good?" I asked him worriedly.
"Yeah, I am fine." He responded.
" Homie got tossed like a football." Makoa joked.
" Kat Status." I asked her.
"Heading your way with the general," she told me. The gate opened as Massoud and his bodyguards came in along with his pilots.
" The bomb is set to go off; let's get out of here." Massoud told us. We all started quickly boarding the Pelican. Rebels then started entering the hangar, opening fire.
"Fuck, I got the turret!" Makoa said, manning it and returning fire. I shot my rifle alongside him, holding them off.
" Take off, take off!" Massoud screamed.
The Pelican took off into the air as we quickly left the base, making a good distance away. The general counted down, and the base blew up in a fiery explosion, no doubt killing anyone who was left inside.
Makoa got off the machine gun and sat down right next to me, while Kat sat right in front of my feet. " This shit reminds me of Africa." He said, sighing to himself.
"Yeah, no shit," Manny told them.
" It will take us 20 minutes to get to the rendezvous point. I suggest you get some rest." Athena told me.
" Noted." I responded. I slumped back into my seat and closed my eyes.