- Sergeant Murph
- |
- Noble Legendary Member
It was obvious that Kovalee wanted blood, swinging both his swords at me harder than before, attempting to swing faster than I could move. Occasionally, I would block an attack, just to shake him a bit. Nothing did. It was the most determination that I had ever seen. With every strike was a part of his soul. Just another sign of his machine like traits.
Words slipped out of his mouth easily, due to his frustration. It went from small taunts to mighty threats.
"You will die just like your father; a traitor... a disgrace!" yelled Kovalee after missing numerous times, usually ending up hitting the ground where I had stood a moment before.
I clenched my fists, remembering, again, the vision of my father being shot and killed. Of him being hung, of my eyes, overflowing with tears. The sadness traveled back, staining my brain, showing me those images again. The Honor Guard gold-orange attachments being slipped onto my head…
I launched myself at Kovalee, not caring whether or not I died. It was the most powerful attack yet, between the two of us. I swiped the sword down, skimming the edge of his chest.
He leaped up in pain, yelling into the sky, kicking me away. I had made him fifty times angrier than he was prior to my attack. He backed off a step, only to have his shields regenerate and lunge back into the battle.
"Monster!" he yelled, waving both swords at me, just missing my face. Taking a rest while he continued to hold his wound, I laughed at his pain, just as he was known for.
"The great Zens Kovalee cannot take a hit? How pitiful!" I snapped, getting inside his head. I could see his anger rising every second, overflowing off of him. Giving him a burst of energy.
"Shut up!" he screamed, lunging two more times, both of which I simply backed away, laughing. For the first time, the battle seemed to be... enjoyable, in a way.
Then, I remembered. The bomb. It would probably go off any moment now, turning us all to ashes. I kept the few good memories in my head, for what I assumed would be my last seconds.
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"Sprint, goddammit! You want to live or not?" Anderson screeched over the roaring wind, brushing hard against his face, dirtying him so much that he could barely see. In the near distance, they could see a large circular object, which they assumed to be the bomb. If they were wrong, it was over for sure. There wouldn’t be enough time to get to another destination.
The two of them ran as fast as they humanly could across the battlefield, praying as they went. With each step they readied the next, pushing as hard as possible. Sweat dripped down their dust stained faces. The journey didn't take long. The marines found themselves at the oversized Plasma Grenade, searching violently for the switch.
"Where the hell is it?" yelled Anderson, scanning the entire right side of the bomb. It was hard to see through the dust storm. It didn’t help much that Last Resort looked like a big ball of dirt.
And then, after everything they had been through, after all the missions they had accomplished together,
the bomb made a buzzing noise, beginning to light up in a light blue color, shaking off all the dust. It shook rapidly, enough to throw the two off the side. Anderson gazed up at the sky, his eyes widening, awaiting the end. His dark brown eyes seemed to sparkle, soon to be wet with tears. He held them back, remembering who he was, the honor he held for the human race. Crying would do nothing but slow him down.
Anderson embraced for the blow, knowing he wouldn't survive. It was as if angels sent down the words, coming out of Burns's mouth.
"I found the switch!"
The last thing Anderson saw before closing his eyes was Burns leap some four feet in the air, tap the bomb, then fall down. The rapid shaking immediately ceased, leaving Burns and Anderson laying on the ground, cheering loudly. All they could do now was hope for the best.
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The detonation never came.
Kovalee shouted the loudest yell I had ever heard, stomping on the ground in fury, waving his swords violently. The dust suddenly stopped swirling, and dropped to the ground. Within seconds, the mountain side was visible once more.
He turned back to me, shaking off the fact that his foolproof plan had failed miserably. The ON button was hit again.
"No matter. I'll just have to kill you the old fashioned way,"
He ran toward me, catching me off guard. I put my sword in front of me, using it as my last chance of survival. His swords and mine clashed. The red and blue colors sent out a burst of violet into the air, mixing together both of our fighting spirits. He attacked again, this time missing completely to the left. I watched the blades miss completely, laughing at his poor marksmanship. Then I realized it the hard way.
It was intentional.
As I paid attention to where his blades ended, he unfairly kicked me in the foot, sending me down hard. I plopped down into the dirt, groaning. I got up, only to have him stomp on my chest, sending me back down. My sword lay beside me, but he quickly stepped on my left hand, stopping me from grabbing the handle.
He raised both blades high, taunting me, showing me how I would die. I stayed steady, but breathed hard, harder than ever. I had that same feeling from the last time I was in this situation, knowing I was about to die, releasing away hope. Until I saw the opening.
I saw the slip that Zanakee had talked about, saw the open space in which I could lunge.
It was my only chance.
It happened so quickly. As Kovalee brought the swords down, making their way to my chest, I made a grab for my Battle Blade, aiming it directly at his own chest, lunging straight at him with my free hand. The feeling was so great. It was the feeling that I had made it through. I had won.
I watched as the tip of the red blade sank deep into his armor, which began to glow, signaling his shields, then fade away. I noticed the tip of the blade on his far side, sticking out of his back. I gasped at my ending position, holding the handle in my weak hand, sticking the sword through the Ultra.
He dropped both swords, each landing beside me. I sighed, rising to my feet, the handle still grasped between my fingers, which shook greatly, nearly making me let go. It took me a few moments to realize what had happened. I nervously looked into Kovalee's hating eyes, even as they closed for the last time, they had the same effect as always.
I yanked the sword out of him, twirling it for a moment, then turning it off, making the red plasma disappear. I gazed back at the body, still in awe.
The silver armor was motionless beside me. Ultra Zens Kovalee, the strongest Elite I knew, the one man army, the one who would stop at nothing to watch me die, drew his last breath. I could sense his presence fade away.
I looked around, staring at the scenery. It was beautiful. The mountain was restored again, the winfd slowly blowing the dust away. I looked to my left. five figures were running toward me.
Anderson and Burns came running, jumping up and down in joy. Both of them mobbed me, hugging me greatly. They were followed by Parker, who was war stained and weary, and Cholahee and Sikanoy, who were injured, but cheering anyway, raising me off my feet.
I looked at their faces. Burns was crying hard, rejoicing that they were still alive after all they had been through. I looked back at Anderson, who was sobbing even harder, patting me on the back. Both said nothing, too happy to speak. Parker whispered something to Anderson, who nodded, then, through tears, ordered everyone to back away.
Parker walked toward me, looking guilty. Searching for words. He burst into tears while talking.
“I’m so sorry. Y… You’re... You’re different than the others. I’m sorry I didn’t see that sooner,” he bellowed, tears winding down his red face like waterfalls. He continued, “It’s just, my… my brother and I were so close... and… and…” he sobbed, tears dripping even more than before. I tapped him on the shoulder, calming him down. He smiled, and patted me back, then wiped his eyes and walked away.
I was overjoyed to see the happiness I had brought, but inside, felt that I wasn't done. Felt like something was still missing. Felt like there were still questions to be answered.
And there were. I looked out over the mountain, watching the sky. My time was not over. This adventure would not be the last. The Covenant’s reign was not at an end, and neither was mine.
I still had a job to carry out in this world.
Transmission Terminated.
[Edited on 08.13.2008 6:46 PM PDT]