- Flood_Master
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- Exalted Heroic Member
Here's Part 2, the first part was only the introduction. Enjoy (Oh and BTW the actions starts here).
Part One: Didn’t See That One Coming!
When Gato stepped off the lift, he spied Shqu ‘Adomee taking the Elite’s vows. In unison, 200 warriors spoke.
“According to our station, all without exception…”
The Elites quickly finished and marched into the Phantoms, which up until now, had laid silently in docking bay. He watched as their three turrets unfolded and flexed about, like an animal out of hibernation. They heated and shone a dazzling red-purple, then cooled, and the light disappeared. They’d get their fill of the kill, he was sure.
Shqu had quickly dispersed from the crowd of Covenant soldiers and began to arm himself in the weapons locker a few feet away. The red-armored Elite picked a Plasma Rifle, a few grenades, and a Plasma Pistol side arm; the basic armament of an Elite of his stature.
The red-armored Elite turned, and walked toward Gato, who had shifted his attention to two Jackals fighting over a Beam Rifle.
“Master Gato,” Shqu spoke humbly, “Our warriors are ready. By your command, we shall start the invasion.”
“Leave the decision to the others,” ‘Putumee answered, “There has been a change of plans.”
“Ah, I see. Our lordship has chosen otherwise? What sort of task must you partake in?” The veteran inquired curiously.
“I’m to take our Sacred Weapon through the human barricades and into the city, as close to its center as needed. Gather a squad of any able-bodied soldiers you can find; you will come with me.”
Taken as an honor, Shqu quickly bowed and left ‘Putumee’s presence. In a matter of minutes a force of Elites, Grunts, and Jackals were collected and marched into the Scarab. Gato, as an afterthought, took hold of his newly recharged Plasma Rifle and climbed into the giant vehicle. Inside the Scarab’s dim, purple cockpit, he studied the schematics playing across the screens.
The Scarab activated and roared to life, humming its unmistakable droning chant. The arachnid walker was checked thoroughly by a flotilla of Engineers, who gave their signal for “Okay.” The monstrosity, on its four huge legs, made its way across the docking bay and toward the carrier’s grav-lift. Grunts and Jackals nonchalant enough to not notice scurried frantically out of its way. An unfortunate one was smashed into a pulp. The whole room shook with the weight of the Scarab.
Inside the Scarab, two Elites and two Grunts, including Shqu, tapped the vehicles numerous screens. The Covenant soldiers were lined up single file, ready to attack at a moment’s notice. Gato had quickly grown used to the swaying and bobbing of the craft. The field master wanted to spend as much time as he could inside the Scarab, for reasons even he didn’t know. He somewhat felt connected to it.
The Scarab jerked slightly as it boarded the grav-lift, and lazily drifted down the huge, violet tunnel until it met the ground in New Mombasa, the human citadel.
“Master ‘Putumee, we’ve received word from the Holy One. The map is here.” An Elite spoke, tapping the screen and bringing up a map of New Mombasa.
“Bring the Scarab…. Here” Putumee answered, pointing to the cities’ center.
The Elite looked confused, but followed his orders and kept quite. The Scarab lurched as it stepped through the Covenant blockade like a minefield.
“A human ship. Coming to bear above the city 100 units out.” Shqu called out, “Shall we attack the vessel?”
“No. We shall wait.” Gato replied, “Take the Scarab forward 25 units and turn east. We shall deal with the reinforcements the ship is deploying.”
Of course, Gato wasn’t sure the ship was dispensing troops or not, but he had a feeling.
The massive weapon climbed over the top of a small building, smashing the roof like it was made of paper. Crossing an empty highway, the Scarab met an armada of human vehicles sent to attack the Covenant ground fleet.
“Oh -blam!-! Contact! Contact!” A Marine screamed over the radio.
“Activate the forward cannon!”
The Scarab’s glowing “eye” opened like a flower, and plasmatic energy began to collect inside it. The human vehicles had enough time to stop, but not to escape. The glowing sphere burst, firing a giant emerald laser at the marines with massive force. Upon impact, the vehicles exploded in huge orbs of flame, tossing scrap metal and remnants of charred bones across the road. Globs of plasmatic discharge dribbled from the Scarab’s cannon and onto the concrete below like drool. Quickly, the Scarab shifted back on course, crossing buildings and smashing dozens of cars below it.
“Keep a steady course. We’ll be at the human bridge shortly. Then, we’ll cross it and push through to the cities’ center.” The Field Master spoke.
“Field Master, three human drop ships, approaching our position from around this structure.”
The Scarab turned and was met by the Pelicans as they soared down the street. Swiftly, the Scarab charged its cannon and fired at the head of the Pelican flock. The first human drop ship erupted in flame and fell into a smoldering wreck, while the plasma cannon on the Scarab’s spine opened fire on the left Pelican. The left drop ship turned at a hard angle, lost control, and crashed upside down off to the right. The other Pelican flew off farther into the city.
The Scarab let its weapon cool off for a moment, then continued down the street, torching three Warthogs that got in its way. Following far behind the Scarab, the flock of Phantoms disengaged their reinforcements. The invasion had begun its next phase.