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  • Subject: Halo: Heretic or Hero?----------------- (Prolouge and chapter 1 &2
Subject: Halo: Heretic or Hero?----------------- (Prolouge and chapter 1 &2

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Posted by: WhatHitu
hmm neat but you shoulden't post this lol but ill give ya some slack and say its cool



Um... what?

I would have known by now if I shoudn't post this. Its been pinned for three months.

  • 10.10.2008 12:40 PM PDT

"Oh, death was never enemy of ours!
We laughed, knowing that better men would come,
And greater wars: when each proud fighter brags
He wars on death, for lives: not men, for flags"

"The Next War"
http://www.blackwaterops.net/forums/index.php?referrerid=795

dude, this is amazing u shuld get it published or sumthin :D

  • 10.10.2008 12:47 PM PDT
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Posted by: Sergeant Murph
Posted by: WhatHitu
hmm neat but you shoulden't post this lol but ill give ya some slack and say its cool



Um... what?

I would have known by now if I shoudn't post this. Its been pinned for three months.


*high five*

so will sol ever meet arby?

  • 10.10.2008 1:56 PM PDT
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Posted by: Mikey Starr
*high five*

so will sol ever meet arby?


I was about to say "or MC?" then remembered we played through Halo 3 and he never met another elite. Especially one with a Red Battle Blade.

Didn't think this next chapter was going to be here so fast or I didn't read the previous one early enough =)

  • 10.10.2008 4:14 PM PDT
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Pretty interesting so far, didn't think Solanee would ever see the Master Chief again.

  • 10.10.2008 5:35 PM PDT

Bungie.net is the place to be!

Amidst the snowfall, the cold does little to diminish his wishes to be free. The eagle is chained and has no way of breaking free. No matter how much he flies, he still is chained. The blizzards do nothing to break his determination and in his eyes, he will be freed, someday...

Bad habits are like chains that are too light to feel until they are too heavy to carry

Wow, that was amazing. You should seriously consider becoming an author. 1000000/10.
I LOVE YOU!

  • 10.10.2008 6:49 PM PDT
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Sounds good, the build to epicness is good for a change.

  • 10.11.2008 5:54 PM PDT

ROFL:ROFL:ROFL:ROFL
_ ^____
L __/ [] \
LOL=== _ \
L \_________]
I I
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _/

another good chapter sarge. but if u say that crow's nest wasn't the target, what is?

  • 10.12.2008 6:39 PM PDT
Subject: Halo: Heretic or Hero?-----------------

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Posted by: crazy brat10
another good chapter sarge. but if u say that crow's nest wasn't the target, what is?


That is a great question, soon to be answered.

I don't give stuff away, but I will say this: Crow's Nest is near impossible to simply penetrate... there has to be some way in first.

  • 10.13.2008 12:48 PM PDT

its all a diversion... btw, I'm back, YAY!!!!

  • 10.13.2008 8:34 PM PDT
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Wow, dood. Just.. wow. I read your first installment and it was great, don't get me wrong, but this one... The level of writing and attention to detail has most certainly improved dramatically. It makes for a MUCH more gripping story arc. I can't wait for the next chapter!

P.S. You should definitely consider a career as an author. You have tons of potential and natural skill at telling a good story.

[Edited on 10.15.2008 2:52 AM PDT]

  • 10.15.2008 2:52 AM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Posted by: KxT bRuTaLiTy
Wow, dood. Just.. wow. I read your first installment and it was great, don't get me wrong, but this one... The level of writing and attention to detail has most certainly improved dramatically. It makes for a MUCH more gripping story arc. I can't wait for the next chapter!

P.S. You should definitely consider a career as an author. You have tons of potential and natural skill at telling a good story.


I may be a bit young for that right now...

And thank you. I re read 'Heretic or Hero?' and found that so many things were missing. I read a ton of books over the month and a half that I was gone, then incorparated things that I learned into my writing.

Chapter 5 should be out later tonight, if not sometime tommorow.

  • 10.15.2008 12:23 PM PDT
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The Mythic Threads (Halo 3) (ODST) (Reach)

I can't wait til I will begin to read this lol. Anyway, I'm assuming that you make most of the stuff up, like Janerus right?

Btw, have you announced the thing we talked about? =)

  • 10.15.2008 2:21 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Chapter Five

The Battle for Crow’s Nest

Several sniper towers –boxes stacked on top of each other with a narrow, rope ladder leading up- surrounded the base. I climbed the rope ladder and emerged at the peak of the thirty foot stack of crates, cradling the Beam Rifle in my hand.

I had never used any kind of Sniper Rifle before. It looked easy enough; lightly press down on the trigger, fire a beam between the eyes. I sighed. It wouldn’t be so easy.

Seventy-three marines circled the base. Some stood on the sniper towers, some preferred the warm press of the sand. Three Warthogs and five Mongooses were lined in front of the base. Mines had been placed in the sand by the hill. It was going to be difficult to make it this far anyway.

The world went frozen for ten minutes. I fiddled with the rifle in my hands, trying to get a better grip on the nose. This weapon was meant for Jackals and their claw-like hands.
And then there was a buzzing.

It was soft, distant. I held my breath, waiting for it again. Yes. They were coming.
And they were close.

************************************************************* ************************

The Chieftain slowed down his Chopper, raising a hand and signaling for the others to stop. The buzzing sound that Sol had heard was the whine of some fifty vehicles making their way closer to him. He climbed out of the Chopper, raising his voice so that all could hear. The voice came out strong and collected, firm and solemn.

“Today, we shed the blood of humans and Sangheili alike! There will be no survivors. No exceptions.”

The crowd roared and pumped their fists into the air. The Chieftain walked along the line of vehicles. His Gravity Hammer was slung around his back, a Plasma Rifle and Spike Grenade on his belt. Even his bravest infantry had to slightly twist their heads at the sight of his menacing glare. When he said no survivors, he meant it.

“They will know we are coming. We must move quickly, now. We shall rid the humans of their precious base. We shall not stop until every last one cries in agony!”

He climbed back into the Chopper and was off. The buzzing began again, only louder.

************************************************************* ************************
I pressed lightly on the side of the Beam Rifle, activating the scope. Peering into it, I could make out the massive figure of spinning razorblades. A Brute Chopper, cutting through the sand. There was a Brute Major sitting , back pressed against the seat and arms outstretched.
“They’re here!” I yelled. I wouldn’t be the one to fire the first shot.

The crowd below me raised their voices, each pointing into the distance. The sand flicked up and whipped through the air, caused by the rip of the Choppers.

And then there was the mortar.

I couldn’t see the Wraith that had fired it. All I saw was a blue light, hanging low in the sky. It changed its arc and plummeted down to earth. I was forced to toughen my feet on the crate, waiting for the mortar to burn through the base in one clean hit.

But it wasn’t aimed at the base.

It was aimed at the radio antenna that was just above me.

I gasped and made myself as small as possible, kneeling down and watching the blue inferno crash into the antenna. There was an unimaginable burst of light, sending me sprawling on my back. A tongue of flame burst around me. I felt the breath of the fire fade away. I managed to bring myself to my feet again, recovering from the explosion that could have burned a hole in me had I not been laying on my back.

Screams aroused from everywhere now. I whirled around. Not one, but at least ten Choppers now flooded the hill of sand, only about forty meters away. They drew closer with every breath I took.

The Beam Rifle lay at my feet. I picked it up immediately and scoped in again. There was no time for training. The battle had begun.

I could now see the three Warthogs on the Battlefield. Burns was at the turret of the one in the center, while the other two blocked off the paths from the right and left. Sniper bullets flew out from all directions… everywhere but mine.

A lone Chopper sped through the sand, avoiding the blockade of vehicles and mines. This was my chance. I raised the Beam Rifle to eye level, steadying it so that the brim of the nose was fixed just beneath the target. I knew that if I didn’t fire now, I would stop myself and back away.

No sooner did my finger twitch on the trigger did a beam of brilliant violet cut through the air at amazing speed. The force of the shot through me backwards, almost sending me off the top of the tower. I looked back at my target. The Brute had crumpled off the Chopper, laying still. I couldn’t help but shed a small smile. A perfect headshot.

Or not so perfect.


[Edited on 10.18.2008 8:39 AM PDT]

  • 10.17.2008 4:00 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Propulsion drives cannot come to a come to a complete halt while being gunned forward- especially downhill- and they have a small lag issue in which the drive has to regain power to slow itself down. I had overlooked this when I had killed the driver, leaving the Chopper unattended. It still tore through the sand, even if its passenger didn’t. I could only shake my head in disbelief as it crashed head on into the side of the base. The boxes beneath me rattled, as if taunting me. There was an explosion, followed by more rattling. I toughened my legs as best I could to stay on, but it was no use. The base was too weak. The boxes gave way. I leaped as far out as I could, avoiding the pile of boxes that could have buried me. I landed in the sand, rolled once, then stood up again.

I had lost the Beam Rifle on my descent. Now I was unarmed, and standing in the middle of a battlefield. The sun blazed down from the sky. Sweat ran down my cheek. Another Chopper was making its way down the hill. The driver looked up for a moment, and grinned slyly when he noticed me, standing in the open without a weapon. The Chopper picked up speed, the Brute’s grin spreading wider and wider with every second.

What could I do? I could dive to the side. No, what good what that do? The Chopper would simply turn around and slice me in half. I frantically tried to work out a plan, but it was too late. The Chopper was less than ten feet from me. I was done.

And then there was a red blinker.

I had seen the weapon fire only once before; at first glance, it looked useless. It was the exact opposite when three seconds passed.

I threw myself to the ground, avoiding the blood red laser beam. It slammed into the front of the Chopper, destroying it on the spot. A rain of sand swirled around me, but I was otherwise unharmed.

Who had fired the shot? I twisted around. There was Anderson, a Spartan Laser Cannon perched on his right shoulder blade. He grinned and waved.

“This wouldn’t be the first time I saved your ass, now would it?”

“Nor would it be the first that I save yours.”

Prowlers were now arriving over the hill, as well as another endless supply of Choppers. I thought for a moment: what were they trying to accomplish? Was ramming into a defensive base going to change anything?

A Phantom rose from over the hill.

And didn’t attack us.

It steered clear of the battle, hovering over the base and going north. Two more followed. Banshees screamed through the air to follow them. All eyes were on the sand, not the air. And that was the mistake. It was what they had been planning all along. They weren’t trying to attack Crow’s Nest. They were attacking us.

Attacking us to get to Crow’s Nest.

I suddenly felt sick. We had let everyone down. It was a simple task to follow: defend Crow’s Nest. And yet we had been unsuccessful in defending ourselves.
I looked up again.

Another Chopper.
And this one was five feet away.

Without thinking, I leaped high up in the air. The Chopper accelerated while I was on top. I realized I would still be in danger no matter what. I needed to arm myself. I needed a Chopper.

I reached out as far as I could with my hand, curling my fingers around the elaborate headdress of a Brute Chieftain. His armor looked as if it could have been polished every day. I couldn’t see his face. All I knew was that I needed this Chopper, and I needed it fast.
I pulled myself up beside him, delivering a blow to his bare cheek. He winced, but returned with a punch ten times harder, this one in the middle of my stomach. Winded, I grasped on as tight as I could. Could I swing my legs around and kick him off? No, I didn’t have enough time. Besides, it was much too risky. I thought as fast as my mind could work. Then I felt a small rumble from my belt…

The Battle Blade! I reached for the handle with my free hand, stretching more and more. The world was a blur of sand and bodies. I had completely lost track of what I was doing, where we were going, and how fast we were going. I wondered if this was just another nightmare. The Chieftain must have noticed me reaching for a weapon. He took his hands off the controls for a moment so that he could grasp his hands around my throat. His muscular fingers immediately drained the breath from my pipe. I Iashed out with my hands and grasped his throat as well.

I looked him in the eyes.

And felt the icy sensation travel up my spine and through my entire body.

  • 10.17.2008 4:01 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

“Jarees,” was what the words came out as. This was the monster that had put me through so much pain through my entire childhood. And now he was inches away from me, strangling me once more. I through my head back hard. He let go and steered the Chopper for a moment.

“Janerus.”He turned again. “You know my name do you…” he stopped, staring at me. His beady eyes seemed to become wide with so many emotions.

He looked ahead of him and cried out. I turned just in time to meet the wall of the base. The Chopper exploded, flinging me and Janerus deep into the darkness of the base. I felt as if I was soaring through the world of hurtling rocks and wood. My vision had gone completely black. A pile of stones swallowed me up.

Then nothing.

************************************************************* ************************
“Good news, Commander Keyes,” Lord Hood tipped his hat at the woman and her men. His voice seemed to be a solemn as ever. Then again, why wouldn’t it be?

“Good as it gets, sir,” Miranda Keyes replied, looking from the Master Chief to Lord Hood. He turned to look at Spartan 117.

“So I see. What’s your status son?”

Lord Hood liked to be formal, that was sure. His hands were practically tied behind his back, his voice calm and collected. He spoke slowly, but firmly as well.

The Master Chief looked up, reflecting Lord Hood off of his visor. Though his eyes were invisible, you could almost feel his aura shed from the orange visor.

“Green,” he thought for a moment, then added, “Sir.”

“Glad to hear it.”

He paused for a moment, looking at everyone in the room as if he wasn’t completely sure what to say. He nodded and spoke again, “The Commander’s come up with a good plan. But without you, I wasn’t sure we could pull it off,” he glanced at the Chief again, as if searching for the thing about him that made Spartan 117 the UNSC’s most lethal weapon.

Miranda turned to the Chief, “Truth’s ships are clustered above the excavation site, and his infantry has deployed Anti-Aircraft batteries along the perimeter. But, if we neutralize one of the batteries; punch a hole in Truth’s defenses…”

“I’ll initiate a low level strike. Hit ‘em right where it hurts,” Hood paused, sighed, and folded his arms. “I only have a handful of ships, Master Chief. It’s a big risk, but I’m confident…” The screen flickered to a halt, followed by a loud buzzing sound, ringing throughout the room.

“Emergency generators. Now!” Miranda Keyes ordered.

“Shielding failed. They’re down and charging,” someone called.

“Once they’re up, reestablish contact with Lord Hood,” Miranda commanded. She seemed tense, as if she already knew something was wrong.

A raspy voice rang over the radio. The screen flickered to life.

The Prophet of Truth had made contact.

“You are, all of you, vermin. Cowering the dirt thinking, what, I wonder? That you might escape the coming fire? Your world will burn until it’s surface is but glass!” Truth seemed furious now, edging closer and closer to the end of his seat. His eyes narrowed in on the Master Chief, but he did not address him. “And not even your demon will live to creep, blackened from its hole to modern reflection of our passage,” He glued his hands together, eyes, sinking deeper and deeper into the camera. “A combination of our journey. For your destruction is the will of the gods, and I? I [i] am their instrument!” The connection ended, the lights flicked on.

“Cocky bastard. Always likes to run his mouth!” Johnson sneered, chewing on the edge of his cigar.

“Does he usually mention me?” The Chief seemed entertained by all this. Anyone else could have cowered in fear, or, in Truth’s eyes, ‘go back to his hole’.

Miranda looked at the Master Chief again. A sense of confidence seemed to flow through her.

“Give the order, we’re closing shop.”

“Ma’am?”

“We’re about to get hit. Wounded, we’re getting all of them out.”

“I’ll have to carry myself,” Johnson remarked.

“Ma’am, squad leaders are requesting a rally point. Where should they go?”

Miranda continued up the steps, focusing on the ground beneath her feet. She loaded the Magnum in her hand.

“To war.”

She left the room, soon followed by Johnson, The Arbiter, and the Master Chief. The two men that were working the computers were left alone.

“We’ve lost a signal from our defensive line. Should I alert a squad?”

“No, they’ll be fine. Probably just another radio lag. You know them.”

The man nodded and walked off. ‘Just another radio lag’ was actually the result of the raging battle, which was taking place only a mile away.

************************************************************* ************************
Burns propped himself up along the wall in back of the base. He had been pursued by a Brute Captain, who had no vehicle. The beast had snapped his weapon in half. He was no unarmed, and in hiding.

The battle was being lost. There were just too many of them! Never had Burns been in a battle like this, nor did he ever expect it. He wished now that someone was with him. Anderson, Sol, anyone! He just couldn’t stand to be alone, unarmed, and followed by a monster three times his weight.

The Captain appeared in front of him.

It had been so sudden. Burns was caught off guard as he was hoisted high into the air by the Brute. He noticed it was unarmed. It didn’t matter. The Brute was going to rip him in half.
“It will give me great pleasure to sever your arms and legs. If you’re lucky, I’ll leave you here to die after the arms,” the Brute laughed, then slapped Burns hard with the back of his palm. He felt no pain. Life was disappearing from the boy’s eyes every second. It looked as if he wanted to be anywhere else but here.

The Brute pinned him against a wall and raised his fist. This one would go straight into the side of the boy’s face. Surely it would kill him.

The Brute lashed with his fist.

There was a loud crack, followed by a deadly groan, one that could only be the sound of someone losing their life. A body crumpled to the ground and lay still.

The Brute lay dead, a Shotgun shell piercing it’s back.

Burns felt the sand swallow him as he dropped to the ground. The world in front of him was such a blur. And yet, he could still- and always could- make out the face of Kate Hayes. Burns felt his vision flinch and swirl, as if it were trying to get a better picture at the beautiful girl that had saved his life.

“Kate… how did you…?”

“Hey, I can be mean too,” she said, winking. She rested the Shotgun by her side and helped Burns to his feet. Burns wanted to embrace her… but now wasn’t the time. They jogged back out in front of the base and into battle once more.

Cholahee and Sikanoy were camouflaged, taking down enemies by sheer surprise. Their laughs stretched through the air has Brute’s fell, one by one. Anderson was flying solo, firing simultaneous four shot bursts at any Brute he could find. The three ODST’s were back-to-back-to-back, each covering their own side and shooting as precisely as ever with their Battle Rifles.

The ground underneath them shook wildly. Sand rose up into the air and circled the battlefield. Brutes pulled back and over the hill. Had they surrendered? No. That wasn’t like the Covenant. Something was wrong…

The beetle-like machine rose from over the hill It towered over everything, lead by what seemed like a single green eye that actually acted as the main cannon of the beast. The world held its breath as the massive figure came into broad daylight and stopped, as if it had seen them and was alarmed.

They had brought a Scarab.

  • 10.17.2008 4:02 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

************************************************************* ************************
Rocks.

Rocks were everywhere. They were in my mouth, on my arms, pinning down my legs, and anywhere else. I tasted blood in my mouth. The last blow from a stray wood plank had hit me square in the face. I tried to pull myself up, but felt an irritating numbness in my limbs. I howled in pain, but made sure to keep my voice low.

Janerus.

How could he possibly be here, of all places? When I had joined the Honor Guard, I had thought (and hoped) that we would never meet each other again. The Brute that had left so many scars indented on my body was still alive, and he was so close.

My lungs ached. The breath was being ripped away with every passing second. Could I really let it end this way, buried alive under rocks and debris? No. I had survived an alliance with my enemies, an air assault, a lunatic Elite, a crashing Pelican, and a Wraith Mortar. I wouldn’t give up so east.

Hastily, I pushed up with my legs as hard as I could, then did the same with my arms. I felt the rocks rise up, but then rain down on me again. Not a good decision. Now I had bled my nose as well. I needed something to destroy the rocks. The Battle Blade! Lord, did it come in handy sometimes. The rocks were old and weak. I could cut through them easily.

I twisted around and ripped the black handle from my belt. Suddenly, I was aware of the worst.

I had no air.

Buried under fifty rocks would provide no oxygen to infiltrate. My throat felt soar, dry. I activated the Battle Blade and cut through the first stone. It split it half, just as planned. I could feel a sharp, lightheaded pain. I was losing air fast, especially with all the motion. I had to keep moving!

I began swinging the sword back and forth, cutting through anything that stood in my way. If I could just make it to the surface! My face felt numb, now. I could barely see in front of me. My pace was slowing down…

I sliced through the last rocks and gasped for breath, tasting the fresh texture of air on my lips. But where was I? The room was black. I could hear faint voices and gunshots from outside, but they seemed distant. I climbed to my feet, brushing off the dust that had turned my gold armor black. I coughed once, then continued on. There was a dark corridor. Where would it lead to? It didn’t matter. I had to be somewhere.

I continued down the hall, a red light illuminating my path. I turned the corner and pushed open an old wooden door. It creaked and fell over, slamming into the ground. I winced. How would I know if Janerus was on the other side?

I entered yet another dark room. The Battle Blade shone red around me, but there didn’t seem to be anything.

Footsteps.

I whirled around, raising the sword just below my chin. Someone was here. Someone was following me.

I sidestepped, getting as far away from the noise as possible. More footsteps. Yes, someone was definitely in this room with me. I backed up even farther, then turned and ran.
The lights in the room flicked on.

I stopped dead in my tracks. I knew there had been a repulsive aura. Without even turning, I knew who was staring at my back.

“I didn’t think we’d ever meet again, Solonee. Or Sol, as I hear the humans call you now. How about that? I knew you were a traitor, a low life. But I never saw this coming, Sol. I never thought you would resort to joining the humans,” Janerus spoke in a low voice, but it sounded confident, and much like his Uncle, Tartarus.

“I left because I was sick of your stench,” I snapped.

He snorted at that, then laughed, “Why don’t we pick up where we left off eight years ago?”

“Only if you promise to clean up first.”

That put him over the edge. I flung around to see the Chieftain, decorated in maroon armor, a look of hatred flaming in his eyes. A Gravity Hammer was clutched in his hands. This was exactly what I wanted. The angrier he was, the clumsier he would be.

The first strike was aimed for my head. I ducked down, avoiding the massive club, then kicked off with my feet, rolling over and back up. Janerus sneered in disgust.

“Coward!”

I backpedaled, raising the sword even if I didn’t intend to use it. The room was completely blank, with small windows at the top. We were under the base.

He charged again, this time aiming more precise. He slammed the hammer into the ground below me. It rattled and shook me off my feet. A wave of gravity shot from the hammer. I was hoisted up into the air by a zero gravity death machine.

I steered myself over the stupid Brute’s head, landing safely on the other side. I taunted him as I landed gracefully on my feet.

“Is this all you can accomplish with a five foot war hammer? How embarrassing.”

“Shut up!”

He charged again, leaping high into the air. I could just make out the fury raging from his face. He slammed the hammer down with enough force to lift a tank.

I raised into the air, this time higher than before. My feet looked as if they were somehow propelling me into space slowly. I glanced down: Janerus was already waiting for his nest attack. On my journey back down, he would slay me so quickly. I had to do something! I tilted my head up. A long, thick pipe ran across the perimeter. I grabbed for it and pulled myself up, just before the zero gravity went out.

Janerus screeched in discontent. I sat on the pipe and shook my head at him, “You really are pathetic.”

He growled, then stopped. A grim smile perched itself under his nose. He reached down onto his belt and produced a Spike Grenade. Without even aiming, he flung it upwards. I watched as the open mouth of the grenade closed itself around the pipe beside me. It hung there for a moment, then detonated.

I expected spikes to pierce my stomach. Nothing. Or, at least, nothing but the feeling of falling. The pipe was giving way under me. I twisted around and grasped it with my arms. The Spike Grenade had done its job, destroying the pipe. I swung downwards with it, then came to the sudden revelation.

The pipes below the base were a water supply. The base had been abandoned before last month. The water storage must have been inside that pipe, but it had stopped flowing years ago, laying flat in the pipe. Now, the endless supply of underground water shot out of the edge of the pipe. Janerus didn’t cry out as the bolt of water struck him in the chest, sending him toppling backwards. I aimed the pipe directly at him, soaking the Chieftain. I had done my work. He would drown down here.

I climbed up the broken pipe, drew my Battle Blade again, and cut through the ceiling, emerging on the corridor that I had met Burns and his companion. I was alive, Janerus was dead.

I raced down the hall and out into the harsh sun again. A Scarab was waiting for me outside, remaining inactive. No shots were fired. Gunshots were useless now.

Phantoms still detoured through the battlefield, making their way toward Crow’s Nest.

I had one chance.

I sprinted out to the Scarab, blocking out screams of disagreement from my allies. I jumped on the leg, which immediately shook, attempting to cast me away. It was as if the machine had a mind of it’s own.

I climbed up the leg and on to the knee, where I then propelled myself high up in the air and on to thye edge of the machine. Brute’s already made their way towards me, protecting their most useful vehicle.

But the target was not the Scarab.

I leaped out, using the amazing height of the walker to boost me, and up into the underbelly of a passing Phantom, grasping on to a handle.

I needed a ride.

End Transmission

  • 10.17.2008 4:02 PM PDT

Now that was an impressive chapter. Good work on linking it into the Halo 3 story too.

  • 10.17.2008 11:57 PM PDT

I Joined your group, and started reading this about 6 days ago. I've got to say this is probably one of the most amazing, is not..... the greatest thing i've seen a fan do. The story is incredibly and it all came for your imagination which is awesome! It makes believe that this actually happens in the story, that this is how the allience between the Human's and Elite's forumed. One of the greatest things ever, and you should be awarded in some way.

  • 10.18.2008 7:34 PM PDT
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Amazing chapter, as I said before, you really took this story from great to unforgettable.

  • 10.21.2008 6:46 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Chapter 6

Of Scarabs and Spartans…

The Elite’s name was Rethnee.

Of course, the double E’s had been dropped after the Schism, and later dropped the N all together. Reth had been one of the lucky one of the lucky ones. He had seen his own friends consumed, massacred. He had escaped the Parasite-infested High Charity, not so much as looking back at the disgusting city. Eight Elite’s had joined him.

And now he was traveling from the edge of the world and back, tearing every last inch apart.
Looking for something. Looking for someone.

That someone just happened to be hanging on the underbelly of a Covenant Loyalist Phantom.
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I didn’t dare gaze down.

I could feel the wind rushing to meet me, the heat inflaming my right hand- the one that was holding on to a handle-. What would happen if I let go at this height? I would certainly fall to my death. I had to stay calm.

I forced myself to breath. My left arm was clutching the black handle. No doubt would I need it soon. I looked up; over the trees, I could see a small forming. A base! So this was Crow’s Nest, the base that we had so unsuccessfully tried to protect. We were almost there when something moved out of the corner of my eye.

I whirled around, keeping a strong grip on the handle. A turret was pointed at me. I could almost see the plasma ready to spurt out into my face.

I jumped.

It was now the fourth time that I had jumped from such a height. The flying sensation came over me again. I spread my legs and arms apart, letting the wind carry me. The jump had been shorter than I had expected. I whizzed on to the landing platform of Crow’s Nest.

Right on the doorstep, I thought.
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Beaten?

No.

Never.

Janerus rose from the depths of hundred year old pipe water, his face contorted with rage (and water, of course). He slammed a fist down into the liquid that reached up to his chest.
So Sol was still alive! After eight years, the coward had looked out for himself. The last time the two had met, it had been the last time Janerus beat him until he bled puddles. His father had disgraced the Covenant and had deserved to die. Now he too deserved to die a slow, agonizing death.

Janerus had been surprised by his confidence, though. Where had he gathered it all from? How could he possibly think of taunting Janerus while the Brute had a hammer the size of him? Janerus brushed the thought out of his mind and swayed through the water. He picked up the Gravity Hammer that floated past him and made his way out of the flooded room.
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The Scarab seemed to wait until everyone went mad. The robotic head twisted from side to side, but did not fire. Why? Because it was a distraction, of course. When every last Phantom had infiltrated the base, they would blow this bloody outpost to smithereens.
Lieutenant Hunter ran over to Anderson.

“What the hell is it doing?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care.”

Anderson seemed dazed, staring into the beyond. He had watched Sol run at amazing speed, climb up the leg of the giant war machine, and leap into the air and on to a Phantom. Was this really the Sangheili that he had met three weeks ago, cowering behind a rock?

Hunter shook him.

“I say we abandon this god-for-saken place before the thing kills us all. We’ve lost the battle.”

“Have we? They’re not even firing anymore!” Anderson protested, turning to the Lieutenant.

Hunter shook his head. “Look around you, Will. You see these bodies? These were the bodies of once proud soldiers. I’m not losing anymore. We’re leaving now."

Anderson sighed, now directing his attention to the unmoving Scarab. The Brute’s had pulled away to let the Scarab force more of a distraction. Hunter was right. Bodies were strewn across the sand. The battle was lost. Anderson was about to nod when he remembered.

“Do you have the files?”

Hunter’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropping. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.

“Damn! I have to get those quick!”

He looked at the Scarab, then at Anderson, who nodded and drew his Battle Rifle. Hunter nodded and sprinted back toward the base. What ‘files’ where they talking about, and why were they so important right now?

Hunter cut through the sand at good speed, making for the door.

And the Scarab turned toward him.

They had got the order on board the Scarab.

From their Chieftain, of course.
“We are finished. Wait for me to exit the base, then destroy it. Kill everyone.” Janerus’s voice had been cold and bitter, but he didn’t regret it one bit.

The Lekgolo worms acted instantly. The head of the beast opened, revealing the main cannon that would scatter bodies all around.

Janerus came down the corridor just as Hunter came in. The two of them stopped. Hunter gasped and took a step back. Janerus laughed.

“Our last meeting was brief. Let this be shorter, I have somewhere to go,” he snorted, pointing the hammer at Hunter. Hunter turned and sprinted back down the hall in which he had entered, eyes fixed on the door. He threw his shoulder into the metal.

It didn’t open.

The hundred year old door was jammed, and a mad Brute Chieftain was drawing closer to him. Hunter screamed, but it was of no use. No one could hear him. He was trapped.

  • 10.23.2008 1:56 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

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I pushed through the metal door and into another blank hall. Through the metal, I could hear faint screams and bullets, but could see nothing of interest. The air was cold, empty. The only sound was that of my own breath. I felt a strange twinge of unease. How could a base under attack seem so lifeless? I continued down on the wall, studying my feet carefully; I sure wasn’t going to step on anything unusual.

The screams and bullets were drawing closer now. I found myself in a long, blank corridor with nothing but a solid metal door on the opposite side. I stopped as I grew close to the door. I was about to step into the middle of the battle. If I didn’t do it now, I would never do it.
I grasped the handle of the door and pulled gently, then threw myself into the room, activating the Battle Blade. My eyes scanned around nervously: not a soul in sight. The room was simply round with several wooden doors. A small desk was lodged in the corner. I noticed the blood stains on the walls. So they had already been here.

I sighed. Another useless room.

But something caught the corner of my eye.

The computer on top of the desk was from the view of a surveillance camera. The sound had been shut off, and the screen was dark. I approached it: there, in the center of the screen, stood a soldier. His Assault Rifle sprayed several times. He reloaded and started the process again. But this was no regular soldier. He was thicker and taller, stronger and smarter. His eyes were concealed by a golden visor, and he was dressed in a green colored body armor. For a moment, he looked into the camera, and I could see it’s reflection on the spotless visor.

We had met once before.

Master Chief Petty Officer John 117 seemed so close to me… and he was, probably just down the hall. The Spartan, as humans referred to him as. As if he had known I was watching, he dived out of the camera’s site. Seconds later, there was an explosion. The screen went dead.

So the Demon was here. The warrior that had slain the Prophet of Regret, and would have killed me as well if I hadn’t escaped the tower. My head raced back and forth. It seemed like more and more of my past was being uncrumpled every moment. First Janerus, now the Master Chief. Who was next?

I stood up and walked picked a random door. That was when I had made my mistake.
I had forgotten how close the battle had been after I had entered a safe room. As the door opened, three spikes pierced the wood. I sprinted out and dived behind a stack of crates. Brute’s yelled out and roared.

“Stupid Elite! He cannot stand a fair fight?”

I laughed at the remark, then stood up, remembering to look as confident as possible. The crates still gave me cover, but perhaps I could use them as a weapon. I lashed out with my right foot, launching two of the fifty pound crates at my attackers. One of the Brute’s was knocked back into the wall, but the three others were otherwise unharmed.

But that hadn’t been the plan. As they were focused on the falling crates, I snuck behind the pack. Before they could react, the three of them had been silently taken down by a red blade. I kicked the body in front of me and continued on.

I never noticed a final Brute sneak behind me until I heard him grumbled. I whirled around just in time to see a whirling fist soar toward me. It exploded into my cheek. My bones rattled, then gave out. I toppled over on to the ground and passed out.

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  • 10.23.2008 1:57 PM PDT

Halo: Heretic or Hero---An Elite's Story
Choose your own destiny

FanFicFactor
Forged in the Flames of Passion, go forth and represent!

Troy had been ready.

Just as the Scarab was preparing to fire, he had grasped his hand on the Bubble Shield that only had seconds of energy left. He had to be in the right place, or it would be useless.
The Lekgolo’s orders had been to fire only when Janerus came out of the base, which he hadn’t yet. Perhaps he was busy with something?

Neither side suspected their men to both be in there at the same time. Hunter was still spread out on the door, his eyes beaming. What could he do? He wasn’t strong enough to break the door, nor could he fight Janerus with the Battle Rifle. He would simply wave his arm and crush Hunter.

Janerus seemed to be enjoying himself. “You’re final moments should be peaceful, human. Relax, and let me make this quick,” he growled. Now he was two feet away from the Lieutenant. Hunter could feel the Brute’s breath, softening his face.

Perhaps the man had gone mad, or has simply been stupid. He flung himself without warning at the Chieftain, who swung the hammer in a wide arc. The hall was too narrow to take the damage, and shot both of them in opposite directions. Hunter landed on the far side of Janerus. He scrambled to his feet and ran down the corridor. Angered, Janerus pursued him. Sure, he could simply leave and have the place vaporized, but what fun would that be? It was better to hear them squeal first.

Hunter swung down the corner and ran down the stairs, two at a time. He slid down the rail and into the hallway that Sol had been in before, only he didn’t turn into the giant room. He kept running and came to a metal security blast door. He hastily punched in the code: 7345673. The screen flashed red.

“Access denied,” the computerized voice rang. Hunter cursed and banged on the door, retyping the code. This time the door slid open. As a matter of fact, four doors slid open, or rather, four layers of one door. He ran into the room and let the blast doors shut behind him.
He could now hear Janerus’s footsteps at the top of the stairs. Even he couldn’t break through the metal blast door, and Hunter wouldn’t give him time to figure out the code. Frantically, he raced over to a plastic filing cabinet, searching under the letters ‘S’ and ‘R’. Luckily they were close to each other. He pulled out the files marked Solonee and Rethnee. Both were stamped with a TOP SECRET mark in red. He then reached in a second time and snatched a file with the initials LOS. He shut the filing cabinet and looked around. Janerus was behind the door. Although he made no noise, Hunter could tell.

A stupid mistake. The room had an escape hatch on the ceiling. Hunter pulled the ladder down and hurried up, the three files in hand.

He was amazed by how quick the journey up was. He arrived in a different hallway on the opposite side of the building. He pushed open the wood door and left, unaware that Janerus had heard the noise and was already racing up the stairs after him.

The Lekgolo worms acted instantly when Janerus hit the door with the hammer and stormed out of the base. Hunter was with the three ODSTs, and Anderson had gone to ready the only Pelican that was left for them. Burns and Kate joined them as well, followed by Cholahee and Sikanoy. The whole group was here now. Everyone except for Sol.

Without warning, the Scarab’s main gun shone green in the light. The head seemed to twist around at the base.

The cannon began the charge.

And fired.
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I must have woken fifteen minutes later. The first thing I felt was my hands, bonded to a wall by metal chains.

My vision was slightly altered, but I could still make out one object in the room.

A bomb.

More than that, a bomb that was set to go off any minute.

End Transmission

  • 10.23.2008 1:58 PM PDT