- soulguard
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- Exalted Mythic Member
Eric leaned back and pulled Melanie’s helmet recorder from his pocket. He slipped the small disk into his helmet and activated it. He began to listen to the recording of her Last Will and Testament updates. He chuckled at the first two but then stumbled upon something new. The brass had informed everyone to make one update per week, but Melanie had made one additional update, and the time stamp was this morning…
Time stamp \\ November 8, 2552
Black Ops 05 \\ Chief Petty Officers Melanie Peters
“Melanie Peters here, checking in to update my Will. I know I just updated three days ago, but something just came up. I would like to add that Eric Raynord be given my whisky flask, that is if he doesn’t die before me. He’s a bit stubborn in the death department. I swear the man should have died ten times by now.
“Also, I would like to leave a private Message to that jerk as well. This is for Eric Raynord’s ears only, relay this sound clip to him and to him only, at this mark.
“Okay... so... only Eric should be listening right now. About ten minutes ago today, November 8th, I woke up and you were sitting beside me. Do you remember? You snore, loudly. Kim never told me that. Eric, if by chance you do hear this then it must mean that I’m dead. Off to the big whisky pot in the sky. I’m probably surrounded by sexy men and lots of alcohol. Or I’m burning in hell… and kicking some serious ass in my attempt to overthrow the dark world. Uhh, focus. Eric… I … if you are listening… I wanted to tell you… to tell you how important you are to me. I wanted you to know that. No matter how I died, it wasn’t your fault. I know how stubborn you get, trying to take the blame for everything, just like with Kim. You hid it well, but I know it hurt you more then it hurt me when she died, and she’s my sister so that means a lot. It wasn’t your fault she died. It isn’t your fault that I died; unless you shot me, and if you did… well, I’ll haunt you from here to eternity.
“This morning, I was watching you sleep, and I put my head on your shoulder. Honestly, I never understood what Kim saw in you. I mean, you were more my type then hers… but I guess you were the one who chose Kim. Since the moment I joined the Black Ops, I haven’t slept that good. I’m thankful of you being in my life, Eric. I had a really nice dream while we slept. You, Kim and I were back in boot and there was no war. No Covenant. We were together and happy, like a real family.
“Geez, this is getting long. You know what I mean. I’m not Kim, and you know that. I’m not a romantic book of gooey words like she was. I’m a soldier, not a romance nut. Kim did love those stupid romance novels. You’ve always been special to me, Eric, and I guess I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for being there. God that was sappy…”
Eric pulled the chip from his helmet, stood and motioned toward the group. “Tower do you copy?”
“Loud and clear. I’m still waiting to hear back from the flyboys.”
“Understood. I have another request. I need to find a way to reconnect the lower level uplink. We need AI support.”
“Siren has been sending work teams to establish a link. COM traffic works, but she can’t relay herself. I’ll check on her status.”
“Roger.”
“Looks like the tech crew is nearly done. She should have a digital uplink any moment now.”
“Tell her to contact me as soon as she can. 19 out.” Eric knew that telling Siren about Mel’s death was a bad idea, but hopefully she would be able to control herself. However, even if he didn’t tell Siren, she would know once she up-linked herself into the team COM. Knowledge of Melanie’s absence would be instantaneous.
“19, this is tower. HighCOM has dispatched your fly boys. They’ll drop a few salvos on the brute camps and then you’re on your own.”
“Roger that tower.” Now it was only a matter of time before Eric and company would make their move.
Gridolee approached Eric and nodded. “Palab is on his way, along with his team. What is the plan?”
Eric turned to the Marines. “Alright maggots, from here on out, we go silent. Once the sun sets and the grunts arrive, we’ll sneak into the brute’s camps and take their ship right from under their noses. Once we seize their ship, we’ll turn it against the others.”
A buzz entered Eric’s COM. “I see you’ve changed your ID tag, Senior Chief Petty Officer.” Siren stated with a chuckle, though her communication was filled with static. “I guess the Black Ops are back in action. Though ‘Sergeant’ had such a better ring to it.”
“How long before you can access that Covenant cruiser?” Eric questioned the AI.
“The techs are still working on my uplink. I am barely able to talk with you right now. Another few minutes and I’ll be fully online with the top side, however, in order for me to hack into that ship, I’ll need a transfer node that is at least four hundred meters from that Covenant ship. And, that Covenant ship will need to be broadcasting so that I can find an open frequency and hack in.”
“I’m leading a strike team inside that ship, we can get you inside, but how can we get a data node close enough?”
“A longsword or Pelican will suffice. They can broadcast my digital commands just like the Rogue Fantasy did when we attacked Truth’s ship.”
“Make it happen.” Eric ordered.
“Roger that. I’m relaying your orders to Eden’s air strip. How much time?”
“We attack at dark.” Eric examined his gear as Siren’s signal became more clear.
The static faded and she acknowledged her status. “The uplink line is operational. I’m scanning the FoF tags in the area and establishing your team markers while… comparing… it… to… where’s 05?”
Eric sighed heavily as he prepared to discuss the events of the last few hours. He had no idea of how Siren would take the news.
- - - - - - - -
Simyaldee opened his eyes and glared upward. His wounds were no longer causing him severe pain and he could finally stand to his feet. Cautiously he stood and stretched his weary bones, a brief dizzy spell past, and he began to dress. His armor had been cleaned, no doubt thanks to Palab’s followers, but the dents and scratches were still ever present.
Simyaldee stepped out of the makeshift tent, made from spare cloths, and looked about the camp. Unggoy and Sangheili muttered around, all anticipating the battle that was surely ahead. In the distance the sound of weapons fire grew immeasurable. It was so loud that it seemed as though it were coming closer.
“Second, you are awake.” A Mirratord warrior stated in surprise. “Finally, we can join the others in combat.”
“What is happening?” Simyaldee questioned.
“The honorable human is attacking the Jiralhanae camps to the north. Lieutenant Gridolee and several of our brothers have gone to assist.”
“Is the human female still in command of the door? I will speak with her before we depart.”
“Second, the human female fell in combat. Palab is now in command. His unit has moved to the second line.”
Simyaldee finished strapping on his armor and motioned toward the second line. “I understand. Explains why Raynord is suddenly attacking.” Simyaldee neared the Second defensive line and powered on his COM. “Sergeant Palab, do you copy?”
Palab turned as he heard Simyaldee and gasped to see him walking about. “Me see you! Me here!”
Simyaldee spotted the Grunt King standing behind a human barricade, surround by Marines and several grunts. “Sergeant, what is the status of the battle?”
Palab looked outward at the plumes of smoke and stray fire. “Honorable human lead forces into heart of first line. Mirratord attack from sides. Human soldiers attack second. Jiralhanae defeated, but more troops coming.”
At that moment Palab’s COM chirped. “Sergeant Palab, you are needed at the front line. Leave a suitable warrior in command. And bring your Mirratord team with you.”
“Gridolee, what happening?” Palab replied.
“The honorable human is taking a strike team into the nearest Covenant ship. He has a plan, a glorious one!”
“Me come.” Palab cheered. He looked up to Simyaldee. “Second, we need you if you can fight.”
Simyaldee paused to give it thought. Could he risk leaving the gate without a suitable warrior to guard it?
A set of heavy footsteps approached as three Sangheili walked towards Simyaldee. Of the group, two were Mirratord, and their Black Spec Ops armor showed the same battle damage as a Warrior who had seen numerous combat. They were veterans within the Mirratord. Between them, and few steps ahead, walked the Elite Councilor. The Elder’s silver armor glistened in the twilight hour as he approached Simyaldee.