|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:34 pm
Once a man and no longer. This new 'creature' of burned and rebuilt brain tissue and bio-enhancements brought in a misunderstood thing. No, Winter did not blame them. For he did not fight back a fight that he could have won. What would have been done if he had? Kill more of the soldiers he had sworn to save?
Now, Lipton was being beyond stupid. Had he not been there? Had he not seen what they could see? Know what they knew? The Commander was gone on his own mission and yet a Gunnery Sergeant could not go on his own? Was it only rank that made you able to complete tasks that needed to be done? He'd already given his life since he was sixteen to the service of protecting humanity. Long treacherous nineteen years. The Marine wished to spit upon Lipton's uniform. Disgusting! ODST's had their own was. No, they were not outside the realm of command but they were trusted to know what they were doing. You couldn't always dial up command. There was no time to explain for it would delay action. As it was doing now.
"Then, Lipton. You are a heretic." The soldier voiced as the Pelican came to its decent. Flying into the purple arms of the Elite ship. "Why have I lived this long? Why do I still fight? Why should I. If those I give my life to don't trust me then should humanity continue? Aren't we as wretched as the Prophets? Pushing out their own allies? For that is what you are doing now. Because you don't understand. You fear what will happen. You want to protect yourself by sacrificing even more lives."
There was a halt. Thoughts rumbling through his mind. Darkness took his mind. Holding it in its great grasp whispering single thoughts into his mind. There was a way they could get behind! It was a map within his head where plans formed around it. They were broken. Blood soaked it.
"You have served and put your life on the line." He continued. "Yet why fight if you cannot trust? Your own soldiers. If there is not a bond of trust when this war ends then.. We failed. We don't deserve to fight for our lives. You are not living life. For you have taken one thing out of life. Trust. And you will have preventable bloodstains on your hands."
The doors opened. Ominous air flowed from the ship. Elites stood there awaiting him. Why? To the brig? That brought another thought. "You want to keep us together? Follow orders? Good. A leader should know that. Orders must be obeyed. But they must also know when they trust their own soldiers. Till that you are no leader."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:20 pm
Lipton almost lost it. He picked the man up by his collar and slammed him against the hull. Part of him pitied the man, but another part of him just wanted him to shut up.
"I trust each and every man in the One-Oh-Fifth to do their job to the best of their abilities, and I would have no one else watching my back. However, you soldier are unfit for duty. Either you've snapped under pressure or you were simply a basket case when you enlisted. I don't care. You've jeopardized the mission and the fate of humanity. I don't know what happened to you up in that tower, but you were fine one minute and then you went crazy the next. But don't you dare talk to me about leadership. I had to watch my entire unit DIE on Belfast. Why? Because of a misdrop. I've been fighting this war longer than you've been alive. Don't you ever question me or my motives again."
He slammed the sergeant into the hull again to emphasize his point. He got real close to the sergeant's face so that he would be very, very clear in his message.
"I have been extraordinarily patient Smith. I found out some very disturbing facts about myself back in that tower, and watched half of Africa get glassed just to stop the spread of some alien spores. My patience is wearing very, very thin. I am closer to shooting you in the head than I have ever been before. All I can remember for the last twenty eight years is humans dieing and the Covenant destroying everything mankind has ever built. We are closer to putting an end to this war than we have ever been. You almost jeopardized that. I don't know what you want or who you are any more. But you're as delusional as the Prophets. You're unfit to serve in the corps, you're unfit to call yourself an adult. And you are unworthy of calling yourself a human. If we live through this, I intend to see that you are buried for what you tried to do here. Do you understand me soldier?"
Now, for a marine, the term soldier was an insult. A horrible one. That was the name for an Army grunt. And the Army had been defunct for centuries. Sure it was still around, but no one used it any more. It was mostly there for show. He doubted that Winter would care in his deranged state of mind, but he would make it very clear to the disgrace of a human, that he had lost whatever respect he had once had for the NCO. He dropped the sergeant and stepped back, looking to the Elites.
"Commander, this man knowingly and intentionally committed treason and attempted theft. I hope you will keep him locked away."
The Sangheili commander watched the display. He had never known the humans were so... desperate. He was touched by this. He didn't know why or how, but it moved him. He nodded to the human officer and had his warriors drag the unsettled one off of the human aircraft. The rear hatch closed and the Pelican left the hanger, returning to the maelstrom of vessels beyond the hull. He watched as it left then turned to the human and spoke.
"Tell me human. What should I do with you; shall I imprison you? Or should I kill you? The other would seem more at rest if you were executed. However, as our two species are now allied, I will give you the choice."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:19 am
[Sgt. James A. Mitchell]
James took his Cigar from his mouth and dropped it to the metal floor. The Sergeant proceeded to stamp it out and pick up a helmet. Mitchell looked down at the helmet and put on adjusting to it. It was the standard issue ODST helmet, the only armor he could find was ODST armor so he put that on. James was surprised at how much stronger it was than the standard marine armor. The armor was the standard ODST armor, the ODST Body Suit. James had carved his name on the back of the helmet. Mitchell adjusted the helmet and picked up a BR55HB Battle Rifle. The Marine cycled a round into the chamber and checked his other weapons. Instead of his usual M6G PDWS, James and taken a M7 Caseless and placed it a chest holster he had fashioned to his chest armor. His combat knife was now strapped to his right thigh and his service back against his waist line. James was ready for whatever was on the other side of that drop bay, when they landed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:26 am
Blood smothered the hull, head furiously letting loose crimson goo. The man who did not listen did not mind. Instead he with sad interest in the man's actions. Eyes showing sorry not for his own self but for the man who had lost his truth. The ability to see things clearly. It was.. Like his humanity had been stripped away. Exhausted and depleted for if Winter was not the man before Lipton was surely not.
Lipton left. Easing himself away from Winter, a unheard truth.
The man did not understand.
The face, stained red looked upon the towering Elite. Eyes not looking for help or pity. Instead it showed a much different story. Complete comfort and contempt.
"Neither. I wish to follow a sign I have seen."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:37 pm
"The cursed prophets led us along a damned path following that which they claimed to have seen."
He turned and motioned for the guard to take him to the brig. He would escort the prisoner. It was his duty. The Unyielding Reverence had been destroyed in the naval battle, and he had, as with the majority of the Sangheili survivors had regrouped at their carrier. The Ship Master was confident that their victory would be a swift one. Anso shared in his confidence. The Brutes had offered little resistance to their purging blades.
The grav-lift to the detention level was similar in its operation to the one on High Charity, though this was oriented more like a ship. There were thousands of cells, and many were occupied. Mostly with the former Brute crew of this vessel. They roared and growled and spat curses at the Sangheili and his warriors, and he ignored them. He was under orders not to harm any of them. They were supposed to see their beloved leader fall, and to see that they believed lies. It wouldn't work, but the remaining Councilors thought it a fitting punishment. Afterwards, they would be killed.
The deck vibrated softly beneath his boots, a good sign. The Sangheili guards stood watch at each break in the line of holding cells. They were a combination of the disgraced honor guards and members of the Seventh Fleet Security Garrison. He nodded to each as he passed and they returned the acknowledgement. When they arrived at the cell allocated for the human prisoner he released the man from his bonds. The two warriors stood watch outside as he sat on one of the small benches.
"Now human. I know there is a taint upon your mind. You wish to go follow your own path. You speak as though you have had a religious moment. Perhaps the gods have spoken to you. I have seen this once before. By following the words of the possessed ascetic I found a great repository of Forerunner knowledge. And I was spared infection by the parasite. However, the ascetic attempted to kill me before I could contact the fleet commander. Will you turn on me if I aid you in your task? Or will I be forced to kill you as well?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:04 pm
The man looked upon this Elite with hope. His thoughts had trailed as the corridors turned into a blur of words and meanings. He understood the writing. Everything seemed clear to him. His own knowledge was at the level of the Elites own. They could understand each other in their own way.
"Turn?" The human asked. A brow raised against the roar of brute voices. Unlike them he was not sealed in fate. His own was wide. His freed hands moved through the air fingers stretching outwards. "No, I did not on my own people and neither you. I could have killed my own. But why? They are my allies. So are you. We still have the same goal. Destroy the prophets. Free ourselves from their foul minds."
"Aren't we seeking.. Justice? Truth?"
He paused.
"Killing those who would help would make me like the Prophets. No. You may help my task. I shall be grateful."
Another voice came. Soft, female. It seemed to echo within his mind as the words floated. The ships speakers giving a soft echo of her voice. Sarah's.
"We must be freed. The Forerunners our are puppeteers." She paused. "We are freely their puppets. We will do their will so we may see our own freedom. Their task must be done for us to be free. For them to be free we must."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 7:18 pm
"The Forerunner are dead. They died thousands of years ago. Perhaps your mind has been obtained by an artificial intelligence. Perhaps you are truly insane."
He stood and dismissed the guards.
"However, when we are so close to everlasting victory, I shall not question providence. Lead, and I will follow. But be warned, I am the only one who can follow. The others must answer to their apportioned task. I, at the moment, have none. And I am curious."
He stood and stepped aside. The immense warrior regarded the Sangheili guards and the Brute prisoners and was quiet for a time. Yet he spoke once more, this time with a firm resolution. The air of authority. It was a voice that commanded respect. And it had been earned.
"We are people of honor. And you must know that once your task is finished, I shall deliver you to the humans. I cannot break that vow. And if you attempt to escape, I will stop you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:12 pm
{Right, I don't know where the 301st is right now, so I will just Rp my orbit into the Ark}
Matt braced himself against the hull. The constant bumps and groaning of the ship made him uneasy. Anti-aircraft rounds were whizzing by, making the metal hot. "Damn...any more of this and we won't have a ship to get off of." he moaned to himself. His ruck sack and rifle weighed him down, making his body react different to the gravity.
"Prepare yourself Marines, were coming in hot!" the pilot yelled over the comm. Her voice was strained as if she had spent the whole day doing PT. No doubt she was having trouble dodging all of the flak they were getting. Their sergeatn stood up in the walk way and called over the dull roar of the engines. "Suit up! Let's kick some Brute a**! Ooh-rah!" and then he cocked his rifle and waved his hand in the air as if to wave to someone. The Marines in the Pelican echoed in replied, blinding out the roar of the engines with their reply "Ooh-rah!". With a grin, Matt cocked his own rifle and readied himself for the up coming battle. "Opening doors in three...two....one....GO GO GO! the Pilot called out. The Pelican doors opened up and the Marines filed out onto the ground. A whole welcoming party was being thrown for them. Brutes, Jackals, and grunts were bunkered down and awaiting their arrival. Plasma fire sprayed past them, clipping one of his squad mate's arms. He screamed and doubled over into the sand, blood oozing out of the wound. "Medic!" Matt yelled, sliding beside him. "Jay, hold on, a Medic is on his way, just hold on." Matt said reassuringly. Jay rolled on the ground, moaning in pain, screaming. Filled with rage, Matt opened fire and sprayed the enemy lines repeatedly. The desert made Matt burn, and he could feel himself melting under the bleating sun. It's rays beat down on him as he sweat constantly. His clothes were already soaking. Soon a Medic came sprinting over to Matt. "Where is he hit?" the medic asked hotly.
"Left arm," grunted Matt popping off a few more rounds, gritting his teeth as he did so,"Right above the elbow" Matt switched the knees so he was shooting on his left. grimacing, Matt looked back at Jay. Mumbling a few consents, he moved on, letting the Medic work his magic. Matt took cover behind a rock and watched as green, blue, and red plasma bolts flew past. Screams of agony and frustration could be heard of the dull uproar. Pink and red needles started to fly by as soon as Matt made a dash for another rock jutting out of the earth. "Dammit! Needlers! he groaned. The landscaped was totally alien to him. The ridge they were supposed to take was surrounded by many tall and fat rocks. Almost like a hill surrounded by trees. As he looked up at the sky, he could see the otehr points of the Ark, and the Elite armada attacking the Brutes. "Were in for a long day." Matt mumbled and then re-opened fire on the enemy force. He could see Marines hiding behind the rocks as they returned the heat. A brute jumped on top a supply crate and gave a mighty bellow. Matt's sight was somewhat obscured and he couldn't see all of the Brute. Just as he was going to pop up and fire on the Brute, his sergeant screamed "BanHammer!" and tossed a grenade. And agonizing thought went through Matt's mind and he immediately began to fall back. The rest of the Marines fallowed suit. Not one of them could resist the might of a Banhammer, not at this point. The Brute gave one of their unique laughs and charged. Bullets pinged off of his armor as he crashed into the first lines of Marines. "s**t!" cried Matt as he saw him hit a Marine and send him sprawling through the air. Taking his rifle, Matt aimed down the iron sight and fired at the throat of the beast. A second to late. The bullet passed the Brute and flew into the air. "fall back! yelled their CO. Matt stayed in his position and continued to fire rapidly into the Brute. A round hit the Brutes arm and apparently angered him. With another roar he tore after Matt with incredible speed. Eyes wide, Matt turned and ran. The brute continued to chase him, until a hail of lead entered him from the side. Groaning in pain, the Brute fell to the ground and stopped dead in his tracks. His heart pounding, Matt stared dumbfounded at the body before coming back to reality. Diving for cover, Matt leaned against the rock and sighed. The Marine beside him looked at him with a grin then turned around, opening fire. Matt was amazed someone could have the sanity to grin at the point in time. Matt was about to pat him on the back and tell him he was moving up when a plasma bolt sheered through his neck. It cut the Marines head clean off. Eyes wide with horror, Matt fell back and watched the blood come out. "Oh my god.." he said nauseated. The Marines continued to press on, taking notice of the casualties. The grunts took the hint and began to fall back, Jackals included. As much as the Brutes pried, they fallowed the lead. Soon, Matt could see over the top of the ridge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:00 pm
[Corporal James Lathersy]
105th ODST Division
Easy Company : Pelican Delta Zero-One-Niner Corporal James Lathersy watched in shock as the Major beat a Sergeant to a bloodsoaked man. His mouth was agape, as was the rest of the cabin that watched over the Major's display of chivalry. James had seen superior officers get angry. But when an officer such as Major Lipton gets mad; its fair game for whatever he does. The threat of hollowing the Sergeants head with a shredder round was not far from the wholesome fact. Lathersy didn't move. He watched in, what he thought was fear, as the Major threw the man into the wall. He guessed it was to make the Major's point across the thick headed man. "I think he got the message..." James thought. The change in gravity swelled in his stomach, and the fresh scent of plastic and afterburners filled the cabin, as the ship was swallowed into the gullet of a Covenant Cruiser. The scent soon sifted from the cabin as the rear hatch popped open with a hydraulic hiss. Lost in though, James still sat for a moment staring at the bloodstain on the wall of the cabin. His mouth still agape as if staring at some entity he had never seen before. Though he had seen blood and the blood of his comrades, he had never seen someone's blood spilled by an officer. "Hey man, lets get going." He was snapped out of his trance. He gave an open mouthed 'uh huh' grabbed his things quickly and lugged himself off the boat. "And here... we... go..." He said under his breath; hefting his gear as he moved along. * * *
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:05 pm
[Sgt. James A. Mitchell]
James cycled a round into the firing chamber of his weapon and stared down at the floor. The sergeant didn't make a sound, he just sat, motionless. Images flashed inside of his mind, memories of Troy. The sight of denizen's getting cut down as they ran away screaming. Blood everywhere; his whole world was on fire. James remembered the feeling that filled his body as he watched it burn. Not fear, but pure hatred, the feeling still burned within him, like the fires that still burned on the surface of Troy. If it could still be called Troy, to James it was nothing but a hunk of glass now. But, it used to be so much more than that.
Everywhere James went, his friends died. Fireteam Delta, Adam Sullivan, even his family died, why was he even alive? James had asked himself the question many times; he had no answer for it each time. He often summarized that he had no use, that he was worthless. The only thing that he could do was kill. Could that have been his meaning in life? How could he know? In fact, how could anyone know? James did not know, he knew only one thing, to kill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:08 pm
Captain Mendez spat on the floor of the hangar bay. These ranks were strange. He was used to a single bar, not two shiny silver ones. "Damnit...I wanted command of a single platoon, not a company..."
Striding over to the ammo crates, Mendez pulled six clips of BR55 out and strapped them to his chest. Passing over the tables, he picked up an M7 caseless over the MD6 and strapped it to his thigh holster. Clipping his BR55 to his back holster, he was interrupted by a marine bumping into him. The marine's eyes widened in shock. "Mendez? What the hell? Who's a** did you kiss to get those bars?" Grudgingly, Mendez turned to the marine. "Trozzi, you're a dumbshit. I didn't want them. Turns out i'm better than you at everything now." Turning away again, Mendez walked away.
Striding over to the crate where he'd stowed his helmet and combat knife. Sliding his knife into the holster, he looked around for his next objective, CWO Karr. "Damn, he's hiding from me again." Glancing over at the nearest marine, he addressed the Sergeant. "Kellis, where is Karr? I need to talk to him."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:17 pm
Kellis looked to the Captain and saluted. Quickly thinking, he dropped the pad he was working with onto the floor with a soft clank.
"Sir!" Kellis began with his salute, hoping to please the Captain. "The CWO is in his quarters. Let me page him."
Kellis went off into a corner of the makeshift landing structure, then returned a moment later, satisfaction elevated from his face.
"Sir, he's ready to see you." Kellis said, "Follow me."
Kellis lead the Captain to the CWO's tent.
***
Karr attempted to stand up, but the medic tending to his leg urged him to sit down as the Captain moved into the tent. At first, Karr didn't recognize him, but then he realized he was 105th's own Mendez. Mendez served in Lima Company while he was in Baker. Like Anthony, he lost most of his squad.
"Captain eh?" He saluted. "Ya ol' b*****d I knew you had it in ya..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:23 pm
Mendez returned the salute. "Nice to see you too Karr. And that you've nearly damn killed yourself." Glancing around the room, Mendez pulled up a chair and sat down. "Karr, i've come in on transfer. Adams has been put on administrative leave, Brass wouldn't give me the details." Shrugging, Mendez continued. "So now on to buisness. I'm the new CO of Able/Baker, and you're my XO. Lee's got the 305th under him."
Sighing, Mendez continued. "I'm sure you've heard about this assault buisness, and we're part of the spearhead. Lipton's got the 105th going in, and the 305th is going up beside him. Other than that, we're doing buisness as usual. Any questions?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:30 pm
[Corporal James Lathersy]
105th ODST Division
Easy Company : Covenant Carrier James sat with an old friend, Don Wittles from 3rd platoon. Don was about his height and his weight, but had the hardened face of a 40 year old man. "Hey b*****d." James said. "Whats up mick?" He replied. Lathersy took a seat next to Wittles and offered him a cigarette; though, James didn't know if he was allowed to smoke or not on this damned vessel. Who gives a s**t. He lit one up and let it burn. He let the COM-Relay pack on his back slide down and touch the base of the crate his bud's just lifted off the Pelican 5 minutes ago. The smoke from his cigarette twirled around in a simplicity of anything he had ever seen. It floated so clear and free. He wanted to be the smoke... BE-DOO-BE-DOO Went his COM-Relay pack. He scrambled to get it out in time. *** [CWO Anthony Karr]"Transfered you say? Oh really?" Anthony reached for his COM-Relay. "Lemme check with Lipton and see what our orders are..." He clicked the light to Green and spoke into the COM. "Delta-Charlie: One-One-Six-Bravo. This is CWO Anthony Karr calling 105th Division. Do you copy?" *** [Corporal James Lathersy]"Um, roger that CWO sir. Wait one for the CO..." he clicked it on hold and ran to where Major Lipton was standing. "Sir, I have Chief Warrant Officer Karr on the line for you sir..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
