The Hybrid a FanFic by Tehface
"Look for the signs, the keepers of the flame. They will lead you to war, and perhaps, to victory."
It's been a long time and I'm trying to do it more regularly. Like always comment and critique. You complete me.
Part Seventeen- Bygones Be Bygones
The bridge of 'No Regrets' stood frozen in silent astonishment, as the Flood cruisers launched biomass filled pods down to the surface of the planet.
The four parasitic ships then floated lazily in Tribute's atmosphere, as if surveying the situation.
Quickly, York accessed the COM system and hailed Lt. Hardings.
Rtas was talking urgently to his second-in-command via video link, with each speaking in their native tongue.
"Hardings! What's your status?" York demanded in a strained voice.
A burst of static fired back as a response, followed by several seconds of gun fire. York bit her lip.
"Phew!" the Lieutenant's voice crackled through the COM, "Hey Captain, you didn't tell me you invited my family-in-law."
"How bad is it?" York questioned, ignoring Hardings rhetoric.
York heard the Lieutenant swallow, breathing heavily.
"Well...we were about to close in on Town Square, and then these things rained down all over us." he stopped, breathing some more.
"It's bad, isn't it?" he asked.
York frowned, and replied, "I'm afraid it is, Lieutenant. And I don't know how the hell it's even possible. How's Mark, and the others?"
Hardings paused, then began hesitantly.
"Actually ma'am...I don't know. Their pods went AWOL during the drop, and their tracking, vitals, and everything went offline. All I do know, is that their pods drifted east of Casbah, into the forest."
York swore, surprising the people who normally thought her calm and collected.
"Alright Hardings, new orders. Make nice with any Brutes still alive, regroup, and don't die."
"Don't worry Captain, I have plenty of ammo."
With that, the Lieutenant terminated the audio link.
The whole bridge crew was abuzz with frantic conversation. York turned to a marine guarding the bridge doors.
"Private, I need you to go down to the Crew Quarters and fetch Sergeant Major Reynolds. Tell him I need him to find Etch-a-Sketch down on Tribute, and ask him if he'd rather parachute."
**********************
"And so, I think it would be in our best interests if we put our, uh, differences aside and... worked together as to prevent our....deaths."
Gaern, the Chieftain of the Brute force occupying Casbah, looked down at the small human Lieutenant, who despite his size in comparison, stood his ground respectfully.
Gaern sniffed the air, his sensitive sense of smell picking up the pheromones in his vicinity. He could smell the truth of the Lieutenant's words, the fear of the other humans, as well as the fatigue of his own soldiers.
The Chieftain stood, contemplating until finally giving an affirming grunt.
"I have decided to band together, lest we all be consumed be the parasite." Gaern spoke, gesturing around at the city.
"So...we work...together?" the human officer spoke, sounding startled.
"Yes. Together." Gaern replied, sounding equally surprised.
The Lieutenant held out his hand, a human gesture Gaern recognized as a 'handshake'.
Gaern reached out, grasping the hand in his.
"Let bygones be bygones." Lt. Hardings said.
"What does that mean?" Gaern responded, confused.
"Let's kick some ass."
****************
"Hey!"
A voice called out to him, jolting his senses.
"Mark! Wake up!"
This time closer, Mark was tempted to awake, but a force stronger than he forbid it.
He seemed to be in a garden of sorts, bordered by a high wall made from a strange metal.
At one end of the garden, a single door was the only possible way in or out, as the ceiling was barred by a glass-like material.
Standing up, he slowly made his way to the door, while remarking at the unique and exotic plants lining the path.
As he reached the door, he saw a shadowy silhouette walk towards him.
He stood back as a feminine figure stepped into the garden.
She was, by human standards, beautiful, with long hair and an angular face. Her cloudy gray eyes, along with a long white gown, gave her a look of elegance.
Though she looked human, many of her attributes made her seem alien.
Her skin was smooth, without a blemish or wrinkle, and she moved with a grace that seemed too natural to be natural.
She studied him for a moment, then smiled. A smile that melted his heart.
"Were you napping in the garden again, Didact?" the woman spoke playfully.
Librarian, he thought lovingly.
Then, Mark woke up.