- soulguard
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- Exalted Mythic Member
“Siren!” Will shouted into his com, but there was no response, only static. “Command this is Spartan 043, the AI has gone rampant. I repeat, Second generation AI Siren has gone rampant.”
“Calm yourself 043.” Stated an elderly female voice into the com. “You nearly broadcasted that to every nearby command station.”
“Major Elizabeth Rawlings, ma’am, what’s going on?” Will questioned.
“Not your concern Spartan.” The major stated. “But do not speak of this incident to anyone. The mission they are going on is considered Black Ops. Speaking of this could lead you to court martial or execution.”
“What about the other Spartans?” Will questioned. “Siren said that they were in route.”
“It was a lie.” The major coldly stated. “She had to get you off the ship. She made a decision and told you what you wanted to hear.”
Will raised his eyes again as the massive covenant cruiser began to lift away from the city. It then suddenly accelerated into the sky and vanished from view.
“Sir what happened?” A marine stated as he ran toward Will with several other marines at his side. “We were just ordered to continue loading supplies but then the ship left. I still have about two hundred men aboard that ship, and there are at least a thousand troops on board from various platoons!”
The squad that he had fought beside for the past few hours was gone. Once again the Spartan felt alone, and as he listened to the numerous questions from the marines, Will could only sit in silence.
“You have your orders Spartan 043.” The major stated into Will’s com. “Report back to Camp Eden, immediately.”
*************************************
“What the hell?” Eric shouted as he braced himself against the wall. He and Melanie had just arrived on the brig level when the ship began to move. The ships rate of acceleration jostled everyone onboard, but no one fell.
“Siren the ship is moving!” Eric shouted into his com, but there was no response. “Siren!”
“Serge.” Hicks stated as he ran toward Eric and Melanie. “I’ve got Red Squad positioned outside of the holding cell door, but Siren told us not to enter. Rose is in there, and Wesley’s going nuts.”
“Understood.” Eric stated firmly, but he himself was at loose for words. The ship was clearly moving, the elites were free, and Siren wasn’t responding. Eric thought to himself that if things got any worse they were all going to end up FUBAR. But Eric relaxed slightly when he heard the familiar ping of his com system.
“Sorry for the delay sergeant.” Siren stated calmly.
“Damn right you are.” Eric sharply replied. He was angry beyond all thought, and he didn’t like the fact that he was left in the dark about what was going on.
“Your frustration is understandable, but I need you to trust me at this point.” Siren’s voice was soft and as pleasing as he had ever heard it. “Please move red squad back to the amphitheater room on deck twelve. All brutes and jackals on this level and that have been removed. The only threat left is the command deck. No worries, I locked the brutes out of system control. They aren’t the ones flying this bird.”
“I figured that much.” Eric snapped. “What I want to know is why the hell this ship is moving ahead of schedule?”
“I see, so you have been briefed on this mission.” Siren quizzically asked.
“Briefed?” Eric fumed. “I volunteered and made the initial strategy, but no one ever said anything about you coming on board. So you see why I’m a little peeved right now. This was supposed to be a clear cut mission, but then we get an AI and take off 3 hours pre-schedule.”
“Sergeant, all will be explained.” Siren softly stated. There was a timid tone in her voice that caught Eric off guard. “For now, gather Red Squad and any other squad leaders to deck 12.”
Eric sighed sharply and tapped his helmet com, saying, “Rodgers, Poll, Mayhew, Green, I need you all on deck twelve for mission debriefing. Double time! Leave your fire squads to continue a ship wide sweep for any enemy stragglers. Raynord out!” Eric tapped his helmet com again and turned his attention back to the matter at hand. He wished he had a face to associate his anger towards. Siren’s lifeless form was irritating, and talking into thin air was rather frustrating. “You better have a good explanation for this, Siren.”
“Don’t worry, sergeant.” Siren stated. “What I have to tell you is going to blow your mind.”
**************************************
“Very well construct.” Ship Master Domadree stated. He looked to the elder, now standing at his right, and he too agreed. “We will gather at the prophet’s auditorium. The amphitheater, as you call it. We will bring the human female, but if this is some form of trap, we will kill her and spill the blood of all humans before we perish.”
“No concern needed, ship master Domadree.” Siren added. “However you must understand the humans do have… some resentment toward your kind. Hostility may become an issue. It will be up to both sides to maintain discipline.”
“My warriors will obey my commands, construct.” Domadree commented. “But we have noted human behavior as unjust. They even have tendencies to disobey their commanding officers.” Domadree looked to the elder and motioned for him to speak.
“Construct.”
“Yes, elder Bortello.” Siren replied. The elder was surprised to hear his name spoken clearly and with respect.
“Why are you willing to trust us, when the human’s would rather us be killed?” The elder looked around and noticed that the other elites all clicked their mandibles and nodded, agreeing to the question.
“Simple, elder.” Siren stated. “The humans do not understand the logic that you, and your mighty elite brothers, have been lied to. Humanity is not your enemy, we never were.”
*********************************
The room was silent as Red Squad and several other marines and ODSTs rested in the corners of the massive amphitheater. The room spanned nearly 4 decks, with rows of benches circling one central stage at the base. A massive pillar of light poured from the ceiling and created a focal point on the stage. There, upon the stage, sat a small pedestal with two covenant holographic projectors on either side. This room was meant for the prophets to shine their images upon the faces of the elite and brute warriors during their sermons. But for now, it would be used as a stage for introducing the two groups.
“What’s keeping her so long?” Eric stated. Wesley sat beside him, thumbing the safety of his battle rifle in frustration. The two men could only watch as the group of marines and ODSTs congregated amongst each other, trying to forget the war that was being held elsewhere. Melanie jogged up from the base of the room and then back down, she was restless and repeated the gesture a few times before she stopped and sat beside Eric.
Melanie was moderately attractive and she and Eric had a long history together. The two met in college and had served together for several years until Eric had been promoted. She never let up on her feelings toward Eric, but she never pressured him about a relationship. The two of them were good friends.
“Any news on Rose?” Melanie asked.
“No.” Eric replied sharply.
“She hasn’t changed much since college, has she?” Melanie questioned as she wiped the sweet from her brow. “I told you then that she wasn’t your type. You should’ve listened, and you shouldn’t have pushed so hard to get stationed with her.”
“Shut up, Melanie.” Eric sternly stated. But that bit of information had already been overheard by Wesley. He sat quietly and didn’t respond.
“No, I won’t.” Melanie rebuked. “I’ve been your friend for almost fifteen years, Eric. We know combat, we know war, we know each other. You left the battlefield after my sister died, it traumatized you. But you wouldn’t tell me why you left, why you gave up command of our platoon and went to her!” Melanie stopped, and calmed her nerves. She was on the verge of screaming at him in anger, but held her composure.
[Edited on 6/3/2005]