The fight for Omega Centauri. Part 2: At the speed of fear.
Posted By: Aonghus Maher<aonghus@gofree.indigo.ie>
Date: 22 January 2004, 8:58 PM
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"What are we lookin' for again, sarge?"
"You know Goddamn well, Walker. We're here to look for Covenant ground forces."
"What the Hell do they want with this place? Nothing here but trees and mountains."
It was an accurate statement. There were the same evergreen trees as far as the three UNSC troops could see. It was rather scenic, the animals in the trees chattering as the warthog roared by on the dirt road below. It seemed peaceful, contrary to the reports that a Covenant carrier had put down somewhere close. Walker turned in the passenger to seat and looked up at O'Neill, who was manning the 50.cal machine gun.
"What do you think, O'Neill? See anythin'?"
"All I see is you running your mouth and the sarge getting pissed at you." replied O'Neill.
Seargent Michan turned his head, glaring at Walker.
"Shut your mouth before I make you get out and walk."
"Just offerin' an opinion, sarge." said Walker, settling back into his seat.
They traveled in silence for a while. Suddenly, seargent Michan pulled the warthog up on the edge of a large trench.Walker sat up straight and brought his assault rifle to bear, ready for any attack that may come. O'Neill nervously scanned the surrounding area, worried that the Covenant might try a sneak attack. Seargent Michan slowly drove the warthog into the trench, turned left and sped on. They hadn't been driving for long before they came to a ridge. They looked down the steep slope at the huge Covenant orbital ship nestled in the dirt below and the aliens that swarmed around it. Walker slowly lowered his rifle and gazed in awe at the attack force. Michan fumbled with the radio.
"Scout team alpha to HQ. Come in, HQ."
He waited for an answer which was heralded by a short burst of static and then a calm male voice.
"This is HQ. Go ahead, scout team alpha."
"We have found the Covenant landing site. Transmitting coordinates."
"Roger that, scout team alpha. Can you tell how many troops there are from your current position?"
Michan searched for the right words. He tryed to find an official term for the huge amount of alien soldiers in the depression. Eventually he had to settle on an unofficial term.
"There's a shitload of them."
Suddenly a blue orb scythed over his head as the warthog was spotted. Michan turned the warthog around, still holding onto the radio, and sped back down the trench as five ghosts and three banshees gave chase. The radio came to life again.
"Scout team alpha, the transmission of your coordinates was cut short. Please remain still and retransmit the data."
"Negative, HQ. We are under fire and being persued. We're going to be out of contact for a while." Michan paused. He knew the man he was talking to. "Tell Sarah I'll miss her, Tom."
"I won't have to, Jake. You can tell her yourself."
"Roger that. Scout team alpha out."
Michan put the raio back into its cradle and concentrated fully on driving as O'Neill opened fire on the fast appraoching banshees. The heavy armour piercing rounds pinged off the hull of the center banshee. Eventually O'Neill scored a lucky shot and one of the aircraft's wings exploded, sending the alien craft careening into the one on its right. Both of the banshees crashed into the ground, blowing a large crater in the dirt. The last banshee opened fire, scoring the ground with a double line of fire. Seargent Michan turned sharply and ramped over the side of the trench, onto the dirt track that they had followed before entering the trench. The banshee wheeled over the trees and continued the chase while the ghosts tried to copy Michan's move. Two of them turned too early and crashed into trees with destructive force. The other three made it and followed on, spraying the road ahead with plasma bolts. O'Neill fired at the last banshee, forcing it to fall back or suffer the same fate as its comrades. Then O'Neill focused his fire on the ghosts. An elite took several bullets to the head and was sent flying from his seat, tumbling along the ground as his vehicle slowed to a halt. Suddenly a plasma bolt clipped O'Neill's shoulder. He cried out and took his hand away from the mounted gun. He gritted his teeth and grabbed the hand grip of the 50. cal with his good hand. He managed to fire off a few ronds before he was hit again, this time in the head. His head snapped back as the plasma bolt tore into it and then he slumped to the ground. Walker looked back and swore as the banshee increased it speed and gained on them. Walker turned awkwardly and opened fire, knowing that it was useless. The banshee fired its fuel rod cannon. Michan swerved right and the projectile slammed into the dirt beside them, knocking the warthog sideways. Walker and Michan were thrown free. Walker was sent crashing into a tree, his neck snapping as he struck the trunk head first. Michan stood up unsteadly as the banshee screamed by overhead. He turned as the ghosts opened fire again. Then he turned and ran, ran at the speed of fear. But it wasn't enough. He was struck repeatedly by plasma bolts and sent flying. His vision started to fade and, as luck would have it, his hand fell to a gernade at his belt. He held it up and pulled the pin as the ghosts pulled up beside him and the elites leaned over him. He dropped the gernade and smiled wearily at the sky. The last thing he saw was a flash of light and the last thing he thought of was Sarah, his love back on Earth.
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