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  • Subject: "Path of Reclamation" Level 11 posted 6/15 --p83--
Subject: "Path of Reclamation" Level 11 posted 6/15 --p83--
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Posted by: soulguard
Lai was talking about his name. Aardvark is just crazy. Brilliant, but crazy. Let's try not to get too far off topic ladies and gents.


Still working on the FF.net update... man this level was hideous. I've found soooo many poor GPS errors it's laughable.
Well, the edit continues. Also, cause of weekend travel plans, Level 12 may not be up for a while. July is also a very busy family month for me, so we will see how it fairs.

~soulguard


So does that mean we won't get our crack this wk????

  • 06.21.2007 11:11 AM PDT

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A firm a -tive.

I've redone the level, started over 2 times. Even walked away in frustration. It's becomeing a nightmare of a level, so I may redo my notes a little bit before I work anymore on it.

Sorry Aardvark, I didn't mean to be mean. lol. My apologies.

~soulguard

[Edited on 06.21.2007 11:38 AM PDT]

  • 06.21.2007 11:36 AM PDT
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I am a Sangheili Bard.
Tomes of the History of the Mirratord
For the honor of the Mirratord!

I've been called worse.

I was just picking on you. All's well.
~Aardvark

  • 06.23.2007 8:26 AM PDT
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Any update Soul? I'm itchin for it like Tyrone Biggins from Chapelle Show.

  • 06.26.2007 9:59 AM PDT

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The next chapter will be uploaded today. Just like last time, it will be unedited, until I post it on FF.net.

I think this chapter will cut into all of you. And a lot of you will hate me afterwords... but I must tell this story. No mater how hard it pains me to do so.
Check between 3-5pm bungie time.

~soulguard

[Edited on 06.26.2007 11:52 AM PDT]

  • 06.26.2007 11:51 AM PDT
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I am a Sangheili Bard.
Tomes of the History of the Mirratord
For the honor of the Mirratord!

As promised, Soul--- not a word! I know what's coming, (more or less) but I won't tell anyone.
~Aardvark

  • 06.26.2007 12:21 PM PDT

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Notes: Rough draft, only one GPS edit. The FF.net version will be posted later this week with more GPS edits, but no story corrections.
**************************

Level 12: the Edge of Madness

Camp Eden
November 8, 2552

For five days the Marines of Camp Eden fought off numerous assaults by the Covenant, with the aid of Elite and Grunt forces. The Brute’s repeatedly attacked in waves, pushing with everything they could muster, but the Allied forces of humanity and the Elites held strong. They had created a defendable position and between attacks they all rested.

Eric stepped across a coolant feed from a nearby plasma mortar cannon, stolen from the Brutes front line several days ago. Steam vented from a leak in the line, but Eric ignored it. He emerged from the thick white steam like some mythical character from ancient tales of English lore. Yet upon his shoulder he did not brandish a silver sword of metal or iron, instead he held a heavy rifle made from composite materials which was a dark slab of grey and black. He walked proudly around the camp of resting soldiers as explosions rattle in the distance. The few soldiers that were awake saluted him as he past and he loosely returned the gesture to them.

In front of him stood the massive bronze painted door leading into the heart of the lower levels of Camp Eden. It was always shut, only opening to release more support and vehicles. This was Melanie’s sector; she was left in full command of the door. Melanie had nearly two hundred men under her command, mostly novice foot soldiers and the occasional ODST, all raw recruits and terrified. Any man or woman with experience was sent to the forward area where Eric was in command and his troops faced the full brunt of all of the Brute assaults.

Eric approached a medical tent sitting next to the lower level entrance street, and walked inside. There where several wounded marines resting on tables as medics examined them, but he motioned toward the back and looked down at Melanie’s unmoving form. From behind her mask Eric could easily tell that she was asleep, yet chances are she would snap to attention at the first sign of trouble. Although there was distant weapons fire, things were quiet, and this was a good time for her to rest. He didn’t blame her. Eric cautiously placed his rifle to the side and sat beside her.

A medic approached. “Sir, do you need any attention?”

Melanie snapped awake and responded, “No, I’m fine.” She then saw Eric sitting at her side. “Oh… 19, I didn’t know…”

“Go back to sleep.” Eric sighed as he leaned his head against a crate. Melanie looked at his dusty armor, and the mixture of alien blood and dirt. Neither of them removed their helmets, there was no need to, they were more comfortable with it on, and it allowed them to jump into combat more quickly.

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “Who is in command of the forward guard?” She questioned on a closed frequency.

“08.” Eric mumbled. “Simyaldee is still finally stable, but Palab and Gridolee are there to assist 08 if things get hairy. Not to mention the rest of those Mirratord.”

“Hard to believe Simyaldee is still alive after all he’s been through.” Melanie added. “Five days and he’s still kicking. We do need him, though. What are you doing back here in my neck of the woods?”

“Halsey is on her way up for another Air reading. She wants to show me something.”

“I know you like older women, but isn’t she a bit too old for you?”

“Shut up, and get some rest.” Eric sighed as he elbowed Melanie playfully.

She thought for a second and rolled her head over and looked toward Eric. “How much longer will our luck last?”

Eric chuckled. “I don’t think there’s a mathematician alive that can answer that one.”

Melanie laughed but quickly fell silent. She closed the private channel and went to sleep in the blink of an eye. She was completely exhausted, hungry, even though she had just eaten, and her mind was on constant alert. Though her eyes were closed, her ears remained sharp. She could hear every sound made in the tent, though some sounds she ignored; like the scuffing of combat boots and the swishing of rubbing fabric. She only focused on the unheard sounds, screaming marines and weapons fire, the kind of sounds that would signal trouble.

Eric was in the same state, yet something more was wrapped in his unconscious mind. What was Rose doing, and where was she going?

Time slipped away and before Eric had realized it he had been asleep for nearly an hour. His COM buzzed to life. “Black Ops 19, this is Halsey. Do you read me?”

“Loud and clear.” He moaned. Eric adjusted to stand but quickly paused. Melanie had leaned her head onto his shoulder and he froze upon feeling her pressed against his shoulder. His sudden movement woke her, however, and she quickly stood up; attempting to ignore the position she was in.

“I’m nearly done with the air scan. Are you ready?” Halsey signaled.

Eric stood and watched Melanie stretch. “Roger that. I’ll be at the gate in a few seconds.” Melanie turned her back to him, picked up her rifle and motioned toward the tent exit. Eric had known her long enough to realize that she was uncomfortable about what had just happened.

Eric grabbed his rifle, and followed her out of the tent. “08 knows that he needs to contact me if things get out of hand at the forward guard. Stay on the active channel and monitor the front, only assist if you need to.”

Melanie kept walking to her post and replied, “roger that,” without turning to face him. As Eric turned toward the massive gate he watched as several Grunt packs waddled through the human guards at the door. Over the past five days, the Grunts had grown weary of simply keeping watch and had taken it upon themselves, with Palab’s permission, to explore the human defenses. This was helpful on two levels because it allowed the Grunts to interact more with the humans and to let the humans visually recognize that not all of the Grunts had sided with the Brutes.

Eric entered the maintenance door of the tunnel. This was the only door that was open at all times, for troops to come and go as they pleased, but it was also heavily guarded. Behind the door sat rows of tents, medical teams, vehicles and mobile weapons. He ignored it all and made his way to a table with a woman in a white lab coat. Her warm face greeted him as he approached.

“Sergeant.” The elderly woman stated as she turned toward Eric. Even through his modified ODST armor she easily recognized him. Several Marines and Naval officers saluted him as he past.

“Dr. Halsey.” Eric stated as he saluted.

“Everyday we do this. I’m not an officer. You don’t have to address me.” She calmly replied as she examined an air sample.

“What’s the verdict?” Eric questioned as he examined a data pad sitting on the doctors work station.

“Five days of scanning, and five negative signs. The air is clean. Don’t worry, we won’t have a repeat of Dorenth this time. As far as I can tell, there are no Flood Spores in the air. The fire from the ship must have burned them off.”

“Good to know.” Eric stated. He then noticed that Doctor Halsey was starring at him. “Ma’am?”

“Nothing. You simply remind me of him.” She calmly stated as she began to clean up her equipment.

“Who?”

Halsey looked at Eric and smiled softly before returning her eyes to her work station. “John.”

“The Master Chief?” Eric questioned. “We have nothing in common, only that he’s the reason I signed on to the Enhanced Marine Program; my youthful dreams to be a Spartan.” The EMP was the cover-up name for the highly illegal testing done on Eric and his friends; making them into the augmented Spartans that they are now.

“And you became one, though I’m sure the process was quiet painful. But none the less, you have a calming sense of leadership. You are steady under fire. Your soldiers rally behind you with quiet awe…” Catherine stated as she looked past Eric at the few Marines who were watching him, studying his modified armor. “… and you have an uncanny amount of luck. That’s what you remind me of him. Aside from John, you and your Black Ops have seen an amazing amount of combat in the past month. But here you are, still alive. You survived the destruction of New Mombasa, a direct assault on a Covenant cruiser, and the destruction of Dorenth. You managed to help save the majority of the Elite populace, rescue a derelict Forerunner space craft, and now you are the lone guardian of the world’s largest civilian stronghold… which also doubles as the secret location of the Tree of Life.” Doctor Halsey loaded her box of tools into a warthog and turned to Eric with a reassuring smile; a motherly sense of comfort. She climbed into the passenger’s seat as Eric walked up and climbed into the driver’s seat. They slowly maneuvered past all of the heavy weaponry and creates lined up in the street. Eric then steered toward the two empty lanes and sped down the long road.

After nearly a half-hour of driving, the lower level city of Camp Eden opened up before them. The cave ceiling vanished in a thick haze. Thin clouds swept overhead as pelican’s crisscrossed the sky; shuttling VIPs and military brass to distance locations in the massive cavern.

  • 06.26.2007 1:50 PM PDT

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Eric drove into an unpopulated section of the town and accelerated through the streets. This area was once populated by marine forces, but once the upper level became a war zone, many of the troops and supplies were sent topside. Civilians, however, were still confined to the cramped civilian districts. He neared a tower which was highly decorated with UNSC and UEG flags, numerous vehicles were set up as display statues from wars past, and the letters O N I were massively displayed on the center of the building. They neared a side gate and three ONI officers approached the vehicle as Eric came to a stop.

The lead guard saluted Doctor Halsey and nodded toward Eric. “You can step out of the Vehicle, Sergeant. I’ll drive the Doctor the rest of the way.”

Doctor Halsey leaned toward Eric and whispered in his ear. “Even Section III security is unaware of you. You are quiet the enigma.” She smiled. She was referring to the man’s lack of knowledge of who Eric really was.

Eric turned to the soldier. “My clearance permits me access, Private.”

“Sir, forgive me. But ODST are not permitted onto base.”

Eric huffed. “Senior Chief Petty Officer, Eric Raynord. Call sign; Black Ops One Nine. Service number; Delta, Zero, Delta, Black, four seven two nine.”

An Officer with a data pad entered the name and service number. He cocked an eyebrow and passed the pad to the head officer. The officer who had addressed Eric gazed at the file in pure confusion. Eric’s name was displayed with a list of clearances that the young man never knew existed. At the top of the file were the words ‘Black Operations A Sigma One’; and all access security clearance. The young man’s heart skipped. Eric spreadsheet contained information of nearly everything he had done in the past fifteen years, including his awkward demotion from Lieutenant to Sergeant. Such a demotion was unheard of, but then again Eric never lost his security clearance.

And to add further confusion to his Black Operations class, Eric had the title of Sergeant and Senior Chief. He was both a Marine and a Navy officer.

The Oni security officer was baffled, but understood that this man was far more important then he could ever imagine. “Sir, yes sir! Forgive my assumptions, sir! I was unaware!” He quickly placed a bright yellow sticker on the Hogs front window; permission to go anywhere on base. “Sir, before you go. There is an attached file to your profile, marked by Major Rawlings and for your eyes only. “

Eric took the data pad and removed his left glove and helmet. He pressed his thumb to the pad and his eye above the retinal scanner. Instead of taking a simple thumbprint, the data pad took a microscopic blood sample and checked his DNA. The retinal scan and DNA matches were confirmed and the data file was uploaded into Eric’s ODST systems. He pulled on his helmet and drove into the base. He neared the main entrance and parked as he accessed the data file.

A message appeared on his HUD….

//command structure_Ark_1_node_B47134//

…execute…
From: Major Elizabeth Rawlings // Head of AFT Research
To: Senior Chief Petty Officer Eric Raynord // Black Ops 19
Start File………

“If you’ve made it this far, Raynord, then I assume you are on your way into the Box. Seeing that Santos is now under my care, I can only assume you are traveling with Halsey or another member of my staff. If you are on your own, then your clearance commands will allow you a 24 hour window into the Box starting the moment you access this file.

“The Ark is not what you think it is. It is not what anyone thinks it is. It can only be describes as a last resort. It is composed of “two” objects: a Forerunner ship, which landed here 100,000 years ago, and a manufactured weapon. Carbon analyses are inconclusive on both of the objects. We don’t know which came first. The ship, which is nearly identical to the size of a small Covenant cruiser, was what we believe landed on Earth first. We have evidence that the second Ark structure was perhaps built many years later. The Ark’s main systems will not tell us any specific details. However, we do know that at some point the Ark ship eventually moved and docked with the Ark structure which was built on this planet.

“Raynord, the Ark has a two fold purpose; life and death. Humanity was saved once, but it will not be saved again. The second structure was built primarily as a weapon, a powerful weapon designed to do more then simply control the Halo Instillations. We are not clear on that purpose, as again, the Ark systems would not tell us. However, this is why the Tree of Life is so important.

“The Tree of Life is a central hub of all knowledge stored by the Ark. You have seen them before on different worlds, recovered by the Covenant, those are not from the Ark. They are leftover data nodes from Forerunner ships. Each Forerunner ship has a Crystal, often called ‘the Luminous Key’ by Covenant forces. If a Luminous Key is discarded, it acts like a giant sponge and absorbs as much knowledge as it can; a learning database. The more it learns the more it grows. The Tree of Life is the Ark’s core crystal… Earth’s crystal.

“The fragment you were in charge of guarding was the heart of the Tree of Life, a small portion that was removed 100,000 years ago. However, we learned long ago, that only the heart of the tree can be reinserted into the Ark. This is why it was crucial to regain possession of it. The Tree of Life can continue to thrive without its heart, and it also contains all of its data, but no other pieces from the Tree can be used to power the Ark.

“This is why I returned your clearance, Raynord. You must protect the Tree of Life. I hate to assign you with such a task, but there isn’t anyone left at Camp Eden who is remotely capable of achieving this. I reactivated Siren, she is attempting to access the Ark Data Node and retrieve as much intel as she can about the Second Ark Structure.. Protect it until she has completed her task. We must Reclaim what we lost, Raynord. This goes beyond the war, the Prophets and the Flood. Protect the Tree of Life until Siren has had a chance to unlock its secrets.”

//runtime_execute_end_of_line// file purged from record.


Eric sat back and pondered what he had just read. “We must reclaim what we once lost?”

“What?” Doctor Halsey stated as she stood beside Eric. Eric climbed out of the hog and began to follow the doctor into the building. He informed her of what Major Rawlings had just told him via the file as they descended into the box.

“I see. So the crystal is able to create a storage bank for its data.” Halsey stated as she exited the elevator.

“That’s the way it seems.”

“No wonder the Covenant has been searching for them all over the galaxy. They power ships, alter time, respond to hostile intent, and collect data from its surroundings. The crystal is basically a small wonder tool. Has there been any sign of the one that we lost? The Earth’s Crystal?”

“You mean the one I lost.” Eric countered. “I’m not sure.”

“You’re not?” A voice echoed on the speakers. Eric instantly recognized the voice. “I thought I told you?”

“Siren?” Eric questioned.

“The one and only.” She laughed. “Did you miss me?”

“A smart AI is always a handy tool.” Eric grinned.

“A tool?” Siren questioned. “No mater. 19, what is the status on the upper level? I can not access any of the above ground remote cameras.”

“The Brutes are pushing, but we’re keeping them at bay.”

“Threat level to the Box?” Siren questioned.

“For now it’s minimal.”

Halsey folded her arms. “How long have you been active, Siren?”

“Forgive me Doctor, I am not at liberty to say. You may both enter.” The door parted and Eric and Doctor Halsey proceeded into the outer cave. On the far side of the room was a large black wall; the Box.

Halsey questioned. “Gibson was online this morning. What happened to him?”

“I deleted him. He was a bore, and very cryptic.”

Catherine paused in thought. “Who gave you permission to do that?”

“Permission?” Siren questioned. “I don’t understand what you mean. I needed access to the Box and Camp Eden, he was in my way… so I deleted him. I have his primary data node on file if you need him. But I did not see a problem with removing him. He was a none sentient life form, an AI, like myself. He was hindering my research.”

“Are you still studying the Tree of Life?” Halsey questioned.

“It is very fascinating Doctor. It has a wealth of knowledge dating back to the rise of humanity. Human history… so very fascinating.”

“Then I guess I have my work cut out for me once again.” Catherine sat at a terminal and began to examine the data that Siren had uncovered so far. “Sergeant, feel free to look around.”

Eric was already walking about the cave. Examining stone pillars, carvings, and skeleton remains. “Elites?” He stated as he brushed the dirt from a fossilized skull.

Siren spoke over the intercom. “This cave was created when the Ark first landed on Earth, at the conclusion of the firing of Halo. There was no life on Earth. The two Reclaimers Generals, Litran and Bitran, built this shrine is a testament to their lost allies. The Elites were amongst the closest friends humanity had within the Forerunner Empire.”

“But this skull, how did it get here?”

Halsey continued to gaze at her video display, but answered the question. “Before the firing of Halo, Earth was a research station. The Elites, species 005, were the head of the Forerunner military before humanity was assimilated into the Empire. They protected the Forerunners that visited Earth and studied humans. Most likely Litran or Bitran found an old Sangheili tomb and brought the remains here… in order to hide the past.”

  • 06.26.2007 1:51 PM PDT

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Eric looked about the room more and walked toward the Box. As he approached he heard Doctor Halsey groan at a sudden discovery.

“It was lie.” She gasped. Catherine pushed her seat back and seemed to look out into nothingness as she pondered what she had just read. “Earth was not destroyed by a second moon. The Forerunners lied…”

“Yes doctor.” Siren added. “They lied in order to save you. The Keeper of the Seed Ship told us that our home world was destroyed by a crashing moon. This event did happen, but not on Earth.”

“Mars, that happened on Mars.” Catherine ran her through her hair as an image of Mars appeared on the screen. The picture of Mars was overlapped by a historical image of Mars before its moon fell. Mars was filled with lakes and reservoirs, a beautiful green world.

Siren added. “The event that took place on Mars threatened the stability of Earth. It was feared that Mars would be knocked off of its orbit, and sent into Earth’s path. For safety, the Forerunner removed humanity from Earth.”

Eric turned toward Doctor Halsey. “So the Forerunner covered up this little incident, but from who?”

Siren continued. “It has been speculated that the Law Keepers would not be happy with their replacements into the higher class of the Empire. The Forerunners were well aware of how powerful the Law Keepers had become so they…” Siren paused. “I find this hard to believe.”

Eric folded his arms. “Don’t hold out on us now.”

Siren continued. “In order to hide Earth from the Law Keepers, the Forerunners destroyed Earth. They left the planet barren, killing off nearly all of its remaining life; obliterating the surface of the planet from Orbit. They built the Ark ship several hundred years later with the set purpose of rebuilding Earth and controlling the Halos.”

Eric leaned against the wall. “They hid all traces of humanities past, and then dumped us in the one place they new the Law Keepers would never look.”

Siren softly replied, almost saddened by the news. “Yes. That is why the Prophets never expected that this planet was our actual home world. For 100,000 years, humanity has been safe.”

Halsey stood from her table and glared toward the box. “What have we done?” She questioned aloud. “The last Reclaimers knew that the Prophets would retain their memories. Litran and Bitran knew that the Forerunners had been fooled. The Prophets have been looking for the Ark for 100,000 years and now they have it. The Reclaimers chose to forget the Empire in order to protect the safety of the Universe.”

Siren spoke suddenly. “It was called, the Path of Reclamation.” She stated directly. “Reclaimers must become the head of the New Empire. Reclaimers must rebuild their military might. Reclaimers must reclaim the lost tools of the Forerunners. The war is not over. The Flood are not dead. Reclaimers, rebuild, reequip, retake what was once lost. The Empire rests on your shoulders, Reclaimers. Only you can save the Universe from the outbreak. We shall build you a weapon… a weapon of last resort. It will be hidden, safe from the eyes of the universe. But if you need it, you will find it, the Ark will find it.”

Doctor Halsey walked closer to Eric as she listened to Siren. “A weapon? That must be the Ark Structure which was built on Earth.”

Siren continued. “We must reclaim what we once lost. We must correct the mistakes of the past. Reclaimers, it is with you that we leave this task. When the Empire has returned, and the threat destroyed, we will return… we shall regain our glory.”

Eric gasped. “We must reclaim what we once lost? That’s what Major Rawlings said.”

Siren added. “Yes, the ‘Path of Reclamation’ was one of the first documents recovered from the Tree of Life. Major Rawlings, apparently, is a firm believer in it.”

Eric’s COM filled with a static burst and two clicks. “Siren, boost the signal on my COM.” After a second the transmission cleared. “Say again!”

“19, heavy Brute ground supports have begun to push against us. I’m calling for support from the second line. They’ve got three scarabs are inbound, numerous high speed ground units. Looks like Truth is tired of toying with us.”

“Copy that 08. We knew this was coming. Power up the energy drainer mine field. I’m on my top side. 05, you copy that?”

“Roger. I’m splitting my guard detail and moving the big gun to the front line.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. 19 out.” Eric turned to Doctor Halsey, nodded and ran toward the Elevator.

Halsey watched him vanish into the elevator and she sighed softly. “Siren.”

“Yes Doctor?”

“Is there a way to create a copy of the Ark Data Node, without the Ark key?”

Siren chuckled. “Funny you should ask.”

- - - - - - - -

Eric couldn’t see what was going on, but he had to keep his ears in the game. He opened his COM channel to listen in on the above ground combat. He had a long way to go, and he wanted to be fully aware of what to expect when he got there.

Eric’s COM was filled with the outcries of frantic marines, mostly raw recruits that were still green from boot. In situations where the enemy has your back to wall and there was no place to run to, you had to keep your wits about you. That was not what Eric was hearing.

The elevator opened at Eric broke into a full sprint toward the outer door of the ONI facility building. He sprinted across the lot, jumped into the driver’s seat and throttled out of the gate.

What he was hearing on his COM was sheer madness.

“Incoming!”

“Eat this and die!”

“Where’s the blockade?”

“Hell if I know!”

“Chief what the hell is that?”

“Shoot it and shut up!”

“Hold the ranks! Form up, damn it!”

“We just lost the mongoose patrol! Where the hell is the mine field?”

“Will you shut up?”


An explosion based over the COM. Screams of pain filled the line and then there was silence. Eric switched the channel and listened to another line.

“Foxtrot just got wiped out! Holy -blam!-!”

“Got another one! I am bad ass!”

“Why in the hell are you counting? We’ll be dead soon enough… Jesus those things are huge!”

“Stupid Brute!”

“Get him off me…”

“Breach! They broke through! Kill it! Kill it!”


The blood curling shriek of a man screaming in pain echoed into Eric’s ear, and behind his screams he could hear the ferocious roar of a Brute. He switched the channel. “08, 05, pull them together! The Brutes are using a confusion tactics and trying to out muscle you.”

“We know, 19!” Melanie replied in a frantic shout. “They’re trying to setup a gunnery line and using infantry to confuse us. There is simply too many of them!”

“Where’s the Mirratord?”

“Gridolee has them sneaking toward the gunnery line.” Mathew replied. “But in all the confusion, it may not be enough!”

“Hold out for as long as you can.” Eric drove out of the military district and onto the main road back toward the main entrance. At full speed, it would take him thirty minutes to get topside. He knew it was a risk leaving the troops, but he didn’t imagine that the Brutes would press this hard after five days of constant assaults.

- - - - - - - -

The room was silent as Melanie leaned over the campfire. “What was it that Kim always said? Oh yeah! If there is something big in the way, and you can’t beat it, shoot it. She would sit on the obstacle course during boot and literally stare at the climbing wall. She could never climb that thing, well, one day she decided that she wasn’t going to lose to the wall. So out of the blue she pulled out a shotgun and blew holes in it. I mean, our drill instructor stood there, mouth agape, staring at her like she was insane. They called the MP to take her in, but they didn’t even try to get close to her while she was holding the shotgun.

“She unloaded round after round, until the hole was big enough for her to climb through. And after she climbed through it she had this huge smile on her face. I laughed so hard I nearly peed my pants. She then quietly flipped on the safety, placed the shotgun in the dirt, got down on her knees and put her hands behind her head. The MPs tackled her and put her in handcuffs.”

The room burst into laughter as Melanie dried her tears of laughter. “But wait, it gets better. Okay, my sister is slightly shorter then me and much more curvy, so you have to understand that we are different. I mean, you’ve all seen here. She hot! We do look alike, but Kim is by far the more girly of us. Her boobs are huge. She got lucky in that department.”

“Your boobs are fine, Mel.” Eric laughed. Melanie smiled, but elbowed him for saying it. Kim sat quietly in the corner and buried her face in shame.

Anyway,” Melanie continued. “As the MP tackles her, while she’s wearing her training fatigues… she slides face first into the dirt. She was already on her knees with her hands behind her head, so when she hits the ground it was face and chest first. The MP shackles her and sits her up, and there they are… two huge bare breasts staring at the world!” More laughter erupts into the room as most of the guys lean in to hear more.

Kim sighs in the corner. “Nobody wants to hear this, Mel.”

Melanie laughed. “Shut up!” She then continued. “So as she’s sitting there, bare breasted and covered in dirt. The MP is torn on what to do next. So, my sister, who eventually becomes our team leader, leans backward toward the MP and says … could you pull up my shirt? I’m cold. The MP stupidly reaches down, grabs her shirt and pulls it up and over her female attributes. As he is doing so, Mel starts screaming! The MP has know idea what’s going on, until about five seconds later when Mel says, he’s groping me! And that’s how she avoided being kicked out of the core, three weeks into boot camp!”

  • 06.26.2007 1:54 PM PDT

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“Are you serious?” Sammy, a young Korean girl questioned. “You used the -blam!- assault card, after destroying a wall?”

Kim shrugged. “The core has always been shaky with female soldiers. I scream -blam!- assault, and the media would have had a field day. I apologized to the drill Sergeant for destroying the wall, and the MP basically wanted to forget that anything ever happened. So just like that, the whole incident vanished.”

Melanie jumped up and ran toward her older sister. “Should I tell them how you also slept with our drill sergeant?”

Kim roared in protest. “I never slept with him! What the hell is wrong with you?”

Eric sat in the corner, laughing out loud while Sammy, Mathew, Roy, Justin and the rest of the Black Ops huddled around laughing at the two sisters’ playful antics. Melanie stood up and began to dance around the fire, content with life, and content with the moment… surround by friends, family, and the happiness that was her team.

Melanie, Black Ops 05, stood up as her helmet loosely fell to the side. Blood dripped from an open wound on her head as explosions sounded and plasma bolts sailed in all directions. She had been knocked out by a Brute shot grenade, and left for dead. The Brutes were pressing the front line hard, and had overwhelmed her position. Melanie looked around and noticed that the Marines were pulling back, yet she was now behind the enemies established position. She pulled up her med kit, and groggily fondled through it. She couldn’t focus. Her head was echoing, as if she was floating in an ocean. She found a small injector, pulled down her collar and slapped the injector onto her neck. She squeezed and a high pressure jet of adrenaline shot into her blood stream. Two beats of her heart and she was quickly regaining focus.

She explosively stood to her feet, wiped the blood from her brow and pulled her helmet back on. It was cracked, but it woul still provide moderate protection. Her HUD filled with static but then snapped to life. She reached around, gripped the first weapon she could find and ran back toward the battle.

The Brute Spike Rifle wasn’t registering in her HUD so she had to visually account for the ammo. She charged ahead, running back toward the second line as Brutes roared ahead of her. She was coming up behind them, and they were completely unaware. She pulled two frag-grenades from her pocket and lobbed them toward the Brutes; they detonated with a loud but rewarding thud. The Brutes were blown to the side and Melanie fired a spray of needles toward the other Brutes. The chamber emptied and she slapped in a fresh clip she picked one up from a dead Brute. She relocated, taking cover behind a smoldering warthog. She looked back toward the Brutes’ gunnery position and watched as two Scarabs exploded in a wave of blue plumes. The Mirratord were easily cutting their way through the Brutes, and the energy drainers were making short work of the Brutes heavy weapons. A few well place energy drainers were even able to slow down the hulking scarab behemoths.

Melanie turned and sprinted from cover, just as her motion tracker displayed a hostile in the vicinity. She rolled as a Brute shouldered into the hog she was using as cover, tossing it to the side. The hog flipped twice before it came to a stop on its side. The Brute roared as he pulled out at plasma rifle. Melanie fired into the Brute with her spike rifle before the Brute could take aim. The first few spikes bounced off the armor, but the next two easily pierced the armor and impaled the Brute in the shoulder. The weapon emptied and Melanie tossed it. She frantically reached for her side arm as the Brute roared in pain. His long arms swung and caught Melanie in the chest. She rolled end over end until she was laying on her back gasping for air. She stared into the sky, struggling to refill her lunges with air as the Brute hovered over her.

Without thinking she pulled up her Magnum and fired into the Brutes head. The familiar ping of metal on metal echoed as the Brute stepped back. Melanie kept firing, wearing down the armor and the Brute tried to take cover. Yet a round slipped into its eye hole, and the Brute crashed into the battlefield lifeless.

Melanie was slowly getting her wind back, and she slipped another clip into the Magnum, but she knew she needed something bigger. She motioned to stand and her lungs began to burn. She paused as a broken rib shifted and shot pain across her side. Even with her augmented muscles she only had normal human bones. She rolled to her knees and began to crawl back toward the rest of her team.

“08… can you read me?” Melanie stated over the line.

“Mel! Where the hell are you? What’s your position?” Mathew cried out over the line.

“I… I don’t know. I’m moving back toward the line. The Brutes… they’re in front of me. I think I’m on the west-front line.”

“I’m coming!”

“No! Hold your position. You can’t risk it, not for one man.”

“Screw that! Find a gun and hold your position!” Mathew heavily roared on the line.

Melanie roared in pain as she was forced into the ground. A massive armored foot rested upon her back. As the Brute huffed and gloated over her, he looked to his side as several Jackals squawked about looking for humans to kill.

“Human, you did well against one of our own. But it does not look like you can put up any more of a fight.”

Melanie gasped for breath as the Brute’s tremendous wait pressed down on her. “Get the … hell … off of me!” Melanie had forgotten that her COM was still open.

“Malenie, hang on!” Mathew shouted over the COM. He was clearly running toward her, but he had no idea where to look.

“Come Kig-Yar, pluck this human’s flesh while its blood is still warm.” The Brute chuckled as she lifted his foot and slammed it upon Melanie’s back. Her scream was unnerving.

“Melanie!” Mathew screamed over the line.

The Jackals pecked at her back, streaking blood with each blow. Melanie rolled to her back and fought. She gripped the neck of one, and snapped it easily. The second Jackal clawed at her shoulder, cutting deep into her bone. Her dense steel like muscles tightened and locked the bird’s claws in place. The pain was unbearable, but Melanie endured. She screamed from the pain, grabbed the birds arm, broke it, and pulled the Jackal closer. She grabbed the Jackal by the neck and squeezed until it snapped. She then pulled the claw from her shoulder and pulled out her side arm, but the Brute kicked her in the back with the same amount of force that could send a warthog tumbling.

Melanie rolled across the ground loosely and without control.

When she stopped, she gasped over the open COM, “Eric… I never told you …” But nothing followed, only silence filled the line.

Mathew cried out over the COM. “Melanie? Melanie… damn it Mel, answer me!”

Black Ops 19, Eric Raynord, could only listen in a silent shock as he sped toward the top of the hill; the exit to Eden’s topside and the current battlefield. The crowd of vehicles ahead signaled that he had made it, but nothing was registering to him. Eric was deathly silent, attempting to understand what he had just heard. He stopped the hog, jumped out of the side and sprinted toward the maintenance door.

Outside there was smoke, screams and weapons fire. He didn’t stop running. He charged toward the second line and kept running forward. He didn’t care about what was happening around him. Spiker rounds sailed past him and explosions ignited in all directions. He made it to the second line and turned toward the western-front. Marines screamed as he passed them by, Brutes charged towards him, but he dodged, passing them. The Brutes turned to give chase, but constant marine fire was proving too much of a hindrance so they abandoned their efforts to chase the suicidal human. After all, he was running into the heart of the Covenant advance.

Eric looked ahead and the familiar sight of an all Black modified ODST uniform stood ahead of him. It was Mathew, and he was fighting off three Brutes. His assault rifle blared loudly, mowing down the Brutes until the area was clear. Mathew was doing well, but Eric couldn’t see Melanie.

Eric pulled up his assault rifle and prepared to assist Mathew but he saw him kneel down toward a crumbled ODST uniform.

“Mel…” Eric mumbled. “Melanie?”

Mathew stood and walked toward Eric before he came too close. “No. We need to get back to the line!”

  • 06.26.2007 1:55 PM PDT

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“Melanie!” Eric roared. His outcry filled the ears of every enemy in the vicinity. Mathew held him back, keeping him from getting too close to Melanie’s disfigured form.

Mathew watched as more Brutes turned toward him and he had to let Eric go. “Fall back to the line, 19” Mathew took aim on the Brutes and starred at them.

Eric began to run to Melanie, but he stopped. He froze less then ten paces from her body. “Get up! Get up!” He ordered, but no response came.

“Eric… we have to get out of here!” Mathew shouted as he fired into the charging numbers of Brutes.

“Melanie… please… get up.” From Eric’s position, it was apparent that Melanie’s helmet was smashed flat. Blood splatter covered the nearby rocks and grass. A Brute had smashed her head in. Eric froze as images of Kim raced across his mind. The Elites had killed Kim, and now the Brutes had taken Melanie from him. Two sisters, two of his friends, and the closest things he had to a family.

Mathew took action. He reached back and grabbed Eric by the color, flung him over his shoulder and carried him out of the area. The Brutes loomed toward them, flanking them, and cut off their retreat. Mathew dropped Eric, flinging him to ground and pulled up his rifle. His heart was also acheing, but he knew that nothing could be done. Yet he understood Eric’s pain. Melanie was Kim’s sister, and he had watched them both die.

Eric slowly stood to his feet, his eyes still fixed on Melanie’s final resting spot, as the Brutes circled him and Mathew. They were cut off from the line, behind the Brutes established position, and grieving over the death of the one of their own.

Melanie was gone, and with her death came a cry; a soft whimper filled the wind as one man’s world came to a sudden end. Eric gave a shout, pulled up his rifle and dived head first into the mighty jaws of the encircling Brutes.

Mathew, without question, followed him into hell. Their guns blazed as they roared into a downward spiral that would shift the focus of their war. This was no longer about protecting the civilian. It was a battle balancing on the precipice of revenge.

To be continued…
***************************

Notes: I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as it was one of the hardest chapters I have had to write. I often found myself holding back the emotional outcry... and I struggled desperately to not have it happen... but, as I said before, the story has to be told.

As usual, comments are welcome and thanks again for reading.
~Soulguard

[Edited on 06.26.2007 1:59 PM PDT]

  • 06.26.2007 1:56 PM PDT
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Soul -->

Great, emotional level. The death of Mel hurts big time. You captured a hero's death, her final battle, and the emotions of the love ones she left behind in a way I have never read before. This was an unbelievable level. I can't believe what happened to Mel. I mean, I am shocked. I have nothing else to write but shocked.

I will have to read the upper part again, but I am.... ..... ....
.....
.....
.......
.........


:'-(

RIP Mel

Collar not color is one of the glaring typo's I saw and aching, not acheing.

[Edited on 06.26.2007 2:46 PM PDT]

  • 06.26.2007 2:46 PM PDT
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I am a Sangheili Bard.
Tomes of the History of the Mirratord
For the honor of the Mirratord!

... what can I say? I'll let Fred's sentement speak for me.
~Aardvark

  • 06.26.2007 4:54 PM PDT
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WOW

  • 06.26.2007 9:13 PM PDT

Yet another great chapter, Soulguard. Although I must say, it seems that they are getting shorter and shorter as each level passes by, either that or I just get too caught up in it and lose track of time.

~Warbirds

  • 06.26.2007 11:06 PM PDT
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Posted by:Soulguard
“Melanie… please… get up.” From Eric’s position, it was apparent that Melanie’s helmet was smashed flat. Blood splatter covered the nearby rocks and grass. A Brute had smashed her head in. Eric froze as images of Kim raced across his mind. The Elites had killed Kim, and now the Brutes had taken Melanie from him. Two sisters, two of his friends, and the closest things he had to a family.


I am still heartbroken. I know that Rose and Eric will get together, but as far as Mel is concerned, I was rooting for her more than Rose. Now it will never be. Mel knew her duty and her loyalty to her sister never faltered, but I still shed a tear for her. Her love was never stated, her love was never realized. To live like that and to be a hero like she was, she deserved his affection and his want. Yet she lived to serve and to win. She died a Hero. She will not be forgotten by Blacks Ops 19.

As for Eric, this could make him
a) Lose his edge
b) Make his resolve even more to defeat the Covenant.

I think it will be B. However, he will never forget the Brass that took Kelly away, which was part of a good resistance the Mirratord, Black Ops, and Kelly had created. Or that the Brass abandoned the alliance and destroyed any hope of really protecting Camp Eden when they kidnapped Kelly.

Sidenote --> My thought is: "What until Siren finds out!!!!!!"


......

RIP Mel

[Edited on 06.27.2007 7:11 AM PDT]

  • 06.27.2007 6:59 AM PDT

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Thanks all. The edited version has been uploaded to FF.net. Of course I'm sure there are still a few punctuation errors.
warbirds This chapter was 17 pages long, which makes it the 6 longest chapter in the story so far. haha Maybe it really engrossed you. But I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Fred It was a very difficult level to write, Fred. Melanie is one of my favorite characters, but I had to stick with my notes, and her time had come. And yes, it will cause a ripple you will see flow throughout the rest of the story, hence the title of the level.

I didn't want to really go to far into details about her death, as like any soldier, she died in combat. She went out fighting, and the tragic part was teh discussion she shared with Eric only a few hours before..
“How much longer will our luck last?” It was subtle hint to the tragedy to come. Throughout the story, Mel and Eric have shared soft scenes together, and I felt that it had been successfully portrayed that she had feelings, but she would never, like you said, cross the line.

Mel will have one last scene in the next level. No, she's not coming back as a flood or anything like that, just one last testament to her bond with the Black Ops. The reason for it will be that she will be a huge turning point for all of the major players in this story from here on out. As I said, her death has caused a ripple in a much larger ocean, and you'll be able to trace everything back to this past level.
Also, there was the revelation of the Forerunners "Path of Reclamation". With so much going on in the last few pages, I'm sure it was over looked by you all... it will be explained a bit more, but basically it was the root of something very important in the history of a certain group. A group you all know very well. And yes, they will be showing their little heads very soon.

I hope this level answered a few of your questions so far. The Ark Data Node, the Path of Reclamation, the skulls of Elites, and the birth of the Box. Of course, with these answers come some other questions.


~soulguard

  • 06.27.2007 8:25 AM PDT
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You are right, the stuff about the Reclamation, Forerunners, and Tree of Life was overlooked by me because of Mel's death. She was a good character. One that you wouldn't want to see any harm come to. Alas, this did happen and I am excited about this ripple. Sometimes one man/woman has to die for the greater good. A martyr. Mel was this martyr.

RIP Mel

(sorry If people don't like the RIP Mel thing, but for right now it is so fresh that it hurts)

I must reread the chapter to know more.

  • 06.27.2007 8:34 AM PDT
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God I am always so late for everything. I have been on the forums since the early days of Clark's story, but never bothered to get an ID. Anyway, now that I have found your forum on here the circle is complete. ;0) I am dldaddy over at fanfiction, so as you may have noticed I go review crazy on these stories.. LOL Man I hated that Mel died, but I applaud you for the move. Honestly I thought Simyaldee would be a goner, but I guess you can't keep a good Sangheili down. I am anxious to see Siren's reaction to the news. Just really good work man.

  • 06.28.2007 5:26 AM PDT

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RIP Mel will never really get old, Fred. You should check out the Fan outcries on FF.net. Check out the reviews... you are not alone my friend. I'm actually a little scared to go outside for fear of a sniper round striking my soul. lol

Welcome bbender (dldaddy). Bout time you showed up. lol kidding. Unlike the ff.net site, I can post more frequently here and answer questions, so visit often, post much. Welcome to the fold.

~soulguard

  • 06.28.2007 8:39 AM PDT
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Thanks Soulguard, I was sitting there the other day lamenting at the lack of activity on Clark's thread, when the idea struck.. "Hmm.. I wonder if Soulguard posts his stuff here?" So now my prayers are answered and light is casting its brilliance through the clouds of literary repose. No, I'm not obsessed *twitch*. Just.... happy.

Anyway, your repeated mention of these things called "notes' intrigues me. Perhaps this is why I struggle in vain to write a worthwhile story. Alas, outlines elude me and I simply allow my thoughts to splatter forth through my fleshly conduit onto the dizzying array of 1's and 0's that we all perceive as something tangible. This, my friends, is why my stories pale in comparison. Or I could just have crappy ideas.

Ok, we will now return this thread to its OP. :)

  • 06.28.2007 8:56 AM PDT
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I wonder where Lai Tasha is. I am surprised she hasn't posted. I will go to FF.net right now. I didn't know you could discuss this there

  • 06.28.2007 9:48 AM PDT
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As Soulguard eluded to, the forums over there are quite barren. (I haven't checked out his personally, but most others on there are pretty empty). Mostly I just rant and rave in the story reviews.. ;p

  • 06.28.2007 10:08 AM PDT

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Yeah, that what I meant. The review section is mostly where people left there tears over the last level. I left mine on my office desk.

As for my "notes", it is a word document that I simply add ideas toward the overall flow of the story. It is updated and modified constantly, but I do maintain that I can't veer too far away from certain points. I started doing this back with The Mirratord, and a little of IIWYH. I wrote Stand Five Feet High with no notes, just my over active imagination and a list of all the main players.

Ah the memories.

~soulguard

  • 06.28.2007 10:30 AM PDT
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Way to make me feel worse about my own writing. I thought I had found your secret.. LOL I would have to say that Stand Five Feet High has been my favorite story. Just makes me want to cheer for the little guy.. heh

  • 06.28.2007 10:35 AM PDT