- soulguard
- |
- Exalted Mythic Member
“Is this something that you can all do?” Mathew questioned the young woman.
“Yes sir.” Kate softly replied. “The armor’s design is to keep us fighting, even when we’re on our last legs.”
The medic countered, “She’s right. I’m showing massive traces of coagulants, stimulants and boosters in your blood stream, El Tee. It’s keeping you alive, and holding you together.”
“That brute really did a number on you.” Mathew sighed. “We thought you were dead.”
“So did I.” Eric laughed. “But then I heard you all screaming. Must have woken me up.”
The medic coughed to get everyone’s attention. “Sir, we need to get you back into the Gatekeeper facility. There’s a fully functional med lab and we can patch you up…”
“Negative.” Eric stood. “Check on Gridolee and start loading everyone back into the ship. Double time!” The medic stood without further dispute, but glared at Eric with a concerned stare. “There’s no time to be playing nurse maid for me. Gridolee's in worse shape.” Eric then spoke out. “Offensive Bias.”
“Yes Reclaimer?”
“Is everything ready?”
“Yes Reclaimer. More fragile Reclaimers are walking into the tunnel as we speak. Shall I begin boarding them?”
“Stand bye.” Eric switched his COM. “21, do you copy?”
“Loud and clear Sir.” Dave replied over the line.
“Status.”
“Non essential staff are moving into the tunnel as we speak. Offensive Bias has told me that he can teleport them when you are ready.”
“Do it.” Eric replied. He then switched to another channel. “Lord Hood.”
“Bout time 19. What happened? We lost com for nearly two hours.”
“I got hit by a hammer and I was taking a nap. Sir, have you been briefed?”
“21 told me your plan. It sounds plausible, but what about High Charity? Lieutenant Simyaldee said that he would find a way to get it into the portal.”
Eric turned and watched as Simyaldee and Grimleon continued to duel. “As soon as he’s finished, I’ll be sure to ask him.”
Across the room, Simyaldee’s skill proved to be superior as the battle raged on. Grimleon’s age and endurance was beginning to show sings of weakness, and Simyaldee found his advantage. The hammer huffed with its gravity induced waves but Simyaldee never let Grimleon score a direct hit. But with every attack, Simyaldee would quickly began his assault anew. Simyaldee attacked with relentless precision. Grimleon was on his heels, retreating, as the aged and skilled Mirratord warrior did not give him a moment to counter attack or regain his stamina. Simyaldee’s blades were sharp, his kicks were ferocious, and his agility was unmatched. Grimleon held up his hammer to block but a strike from Simyaldee Mirratord blade split his hilt in two. The hammer hummed loudly and then began to smoke. The loud hum stopped and Grimleon rolled backwards as he was kicked in the chest.
Grimleon stood to his feet. “You learned a lot from our last encounter.” He huffed in an exhausted tone. “You truly are a worthy opponent.” He smiled.
“This feud between us ends now, Brute.”
Grimleon roared, “I am Grimleon, Chieftain of the Red Clan!” Grimleon gripped two plasma grenades lunged toward Simyaldee. “If my clan falls, you will join us!”
Simyaldee huffed as Grimleon stumbled toward him with pulsing plasma grenades in his hands. Grimleon was slower now, exhausted, and his movements were pathetically off balance. Simyaldee stepped forward and with one stroke of each of his blades he cut off Grimleon’s arms. The bloody stumps of glowing plasma dropped to the ground and Simyaldee stepped clear of the detonation. Grimleon stumbled forward and landed on his knees.
The Warhammer had fallen.
Simyaldee walked behind Grimleon and stood over him.
“I will … not beg for my life… Sangheili.”
“Nor would it help, Jiralhanae.” Simyaldee growled. “For my Father, and his honor.” Simyaldee swung with his left blade and decapitated the brute Warhammer. The body slumped forward as its head rolled to the side.
Simyaldee raised his head, extended his chest and released a battle cry. His father’s mystery had been solved, but there were more questions he still needed answered.
Simyaldee’s COM crackled to life. “Sorry to interrupt your victory, Simyaldee, but we have work to do.” Eric replied over the line.
Simyaldee powered off his blades and quickly ran toward the others. He reached them and quickly pulled out a small data chip. “The construct, Siren.”
Eric took the chip and looked at it closely. Kate then showed Eric that there was an access port at the base of his helmet. Eric raised the data chip and inserted it into his helmet. A cool sensation washed over him and his mind. Thoughts that were not on his mind quickly raced to the surface and then he could hear a voice echoing in his mind.
“Together again, eh 19?” Siren stated with a laugh.
“The SPI shouldn’t be capable of carrying you like this.” Eric spoke.
“Have you forgotten who I am?” She said with a bit of angst. “I’m overriding your suits main database and taking it over. You’re stuck with me now. No turning back. But don’t worry, I’ll monitor and continue to administer your suits internal systems.” Siren paused for a moment. “I see why Cortana liked this. It makes us … united. You and I. The SPI armor has plenty of memory storage to hold me and your default mainframe.”
“Just don’t go screwing around with my head.” Eric sighed.
“Now 19, when have I ever tried to screw with your head?”
“Three years ago on Reach…” Eric started.
“That doesn’t count.” Siren cut him off. “You were flirting with an officer, and I …well. We’ll discuss it when we have some free time.” Siren powered on Eric’s external mic. “Everyone listen up. The Lieutenant and I will need to get aboard High Charity. The sooner the better. Lord Hood, do you copy?”
“Siren… this better be good.” Lord Hood huffed over the line.
“Failure isn’t an option, Sir.” Siren replied as everyone listened. “Simply put, we need Gravemind to believe that Cortana does not want him to enter the Portal. I need you to broadcast on every unguarded frequency, Covenant and UNSC, that High Charity must not enter the portal. We will enter High Charity with a strike team in an attempt to rescue Cortana and destroy High Charity.”
“But if we fail?” Hood questioned.
“Sir, we will fail. Cortana is no good to us here, she has to go to the other side.”
“You mean you want us to trick Gravemind?” Eric questioned.
“Gravemind wants to survive. Survival means food. Earth is full of it. He may send a ship through the portal, to inspect it, but he will focus primarily on Earth.” Siren paused. “We must convince him that the portal is the better option. That on the other side of that Portal is a weapon that can fire the Halo’s. If he goes through the portal he will live, but if he stays he will die.”
“Siren,” Simyaldee stated, “why must we do such a thing? To save your world, I can understand, but to send the Flood down the Path… this seems to be against anything we would want to do.”
“Lieutenat, the Flood is the most dangerous force in the universe. High Charity is bustling with them. We have no way of fighting the Flood if High Charity lands on Earth. Our only option would be to destroy our home, much like Dorenth. And remember, there were only a few dozen ships that landed on your world. The Ark has a way of stopping the Flood. We have to hope that the Master Chief, the Arbiter, and the others can find it before Gravemind arrives.”
“And what if we fail?” Hood replied over the COM. “What if the Chief fails?”
“The Ark will not fire the Halo’s, and the Flood will be in control of the Ark. At best, we go to the Ark and destroy it. At worst, we prepare for a war against the Flood.”
“Sir,” Eric stated. “She’s right. This plan will at least bye Earth more time. The Black Ops are ready to go.”
Kate, Mathew and Dave’s acknowledgement lights winked in agreement.
“19, the destroyers Britannica, Fallen Sword, and Beach Head or headed into orbit with a contingent of ODST. The Elite Supreme Commander is also attempting to slow down High Charity. You have six hours until that thing hits the atmosphere. Do what you can.”
“Yes sir.” Eric stated.
“We can use my phantom.” Simyaldee stated.
“This … is a one way trip, Simyalee.” Eric stated. “You’ve done enough for humanity.”
Simyaldee walked toward Eric and placed his hand to his chest. “I can never do enough for your people. We have a great deal of repentance that we owe you, honorable one. We have come this far, and we will finish it together.”
“How sweet.” Siren added. “But before we go, I have one question. How long have you been controlling time… Offensive Bias?”
“Oh my.” The Ark AI chuckled. “It would seem that you are a part of the data string that I once assisted.”
Siren added. “The Ark Data Node contained a great deal of information, including encrypted data files that you yourself locked away.”
“You do understand that I can not relay that information to you, however, you must know that I will not interfere. And… I am not alone.”
“What does that mean?” Eric questioned.
“He means that there is another AI working in the background.” Siren stated. “Was he the traitor?”
“I can not say.” Offensive Bias stated. “That path has yet to be revealed.”
Siren stated, “The six day time lag.”