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Installation 05 by System Failure, SeverianofUrth
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Installation 05: Part 1 (Going In)
Date: 28 August 2004, 1:16 AM
Prologue
Shrouded in darkness, Installation 05 sat cold and unused. For hundreds of thousands of years it lay hidden, a reminder of a long gone race. It was still, the mechanisms the controlled its spin, gone into disrepair. Some areas the emergency artificial gravity boosters kicked in keeping the animals, and foliage rooted to the ground. Some areas were gravity free releasing whatever its contents were, into space.
The ring, with one side in full sun and other in shade, was completely far-gone. The self-sufficient life cycle, crucial to its success as a research facility, was damaged beyond repair. The ring's surface was desolate. It the majority of its surface lay in two great deserts, one of heat and the other of frost, with life all but impossible in these vast areas.
But two regions were inhabitable, however. And inhabited it was. In the edges of the deserts, where fire meet ice, were swamps and marshes. With a temperature sustained by the two extremes surrounding it, this area bred the largest creatures. In these regions lay the heart of the rings weapons, systems, and research facilities. Also in these two, five-kilometer wide areas lived an alien race. A race, when last had a massive outbreak, caused a plague of death and destruction to its ancient enemy.
0900 Hours, September 19, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Uncharted space Re-Entry / Forerunner Installation 05
Pelican Drop ship Bravo 97/ Troop Cabin
I tightened down my shoulder harness. Once it was securely fastened, I glanced back at my men. They were surprisingly calm, despite the fact that they were hurtling towards an alien structure, just discovered in the past week. Their faces were hidden behind their EVA suits, making their true expressions hidden. Still they were talking a lot, meaning either they were calm, of scared shitless, and trying to cover it up.
[insert] I looked back at my men. Some of them were asleep, a good sign, meant that they would ready to fight at touch down. Others were talking, not over the com, but using the speakers, that every Marine had mounted the sides of their helmet. That was another good sign. That showed that they wouldn't risk jamming up communications with their blabber.
[insert] I shifted my gaze to the area under the seats. Under each row sat long, titanium trunks. Inside of them were MA5Bs, SMGs, Battle Riffles, Sniper Rifles, Grenades, and lastly a pair of SPNKr rocket launchers, and ammo in both trunks. The heavy armament was and insurance policy. If two of the four Pelicans going topside were taken out, the remaining two would have enough ammo to complete the mission.
[insert] "I wonder how the other ships are doing?" I thought to myself. "We got four ship loads of Marines going down there, I'm sure it will be fine." The sound of my name brought me back into focus. I pressed against the wall.
"Sergeant Williams, sir?" called a familiar voice from the back of the Pelican.
"Yes, Private Mendez?" I asked him.
" I know the mission and all," said Mendez. "With the forerunner tech and the covenant wanting it... but,"
I leaned out against my harness and asked him, "What?"
"Why are going out here?" he replied still pressed into his seat. "I mean, after what happened to the last halo, even the Covies are scared of going."
"More stuff for us then," I said smirking.
"What if this turns into another death trap, sir?"
"Don't worry, it's gonna be fine," I answered, and the Pelican started to rumble harder and harder.
Looking at the HUD of my suits helmet, I saw the mission clock. 00:00:00:30:59. They stood for, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds. "Weeks," I thought to myself. "How much shit were they going to use us for?" "The mission is only going to last five days," I said to myself wondering.
The voice of the pilot came in over the loud speaker.
"Get ready!" he said, voice echoing around the crew cabin.
[insert] "We are re-entering in, 3... 2... 1..." said the pilot
[insert] The Pelican started to shake, and the cabin lights dimmed. I saw the marines one last time, they were all pressed against the bulkhead, and probably praying for the ship to hold. I took another breath, and then the lights went dead.
0900 Hours, September 19, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Uncharted space Re-Entry/ Forerunner Installation 05
Pelican Drop ship Echo 337/ Troop Cabin
I opened my eyes and stretched out my arms. Yawning, I sat up. The shoulder harness was loose against my armor. "Damn things" l thought to my self. "Can save you from some nasty crashes, but cant keep you from fallin out your seat." I tightened it down; making sure the release lever was facing outwards.
"Sir?" said a voice near me.
Turning around, I faced a marine, but with all the suits looking the same, I couldn't tell who the hell he was. Lucky for me however, the suits had new friend or for tag identifiers. Name, Age, Rank, and position could be shown all at once, or one at a time. "Finally, I get so use some of this shit," I said under my breath. I covertly turned this feature on, and saved my self from looking like Jackass.
"Sergeant Arroyo?" asked the Marine again, this time a hint of confusion was in his voice.
I ok a second to switch the FOF tag setting to name and rank. With the controls being on my left forearm, I had to fake twist my arm, to get at the controls. I tapped them, and in the left bottom corner appered his name and rank; Private: Dalton, Henry A.
"Yes Private Dalton," I said calmly.
"You didn't recognize me, did you sir?" replied Dalton.
I thought for a moment and said, "Are you trying to say that you commanding officer can't recognize his own soldiers?"
"No, sir not in any way, but I that that your FOF tag was just set to the Name Rank setting, sir"
"How did you know that?
He pointed the screen on my arm, "It flashes a different color for every selection button that is pressed. They all have colored bullets next to them. That's the color that flashes."
"Show me," said giving him my arm.
He tapped the all-clear button, which had a yellow bullet. The screen flashed yellow and held it for a few seconds. "It's a weird ass upgrade, doesn't seem useful."
"It's probably just a signaling device. If the com and speakers don't work." I paused for a second, getting ready to the Dalton, when the pilot's voice came I over my suits com.
"Sgt. Arroyo?" said a gruff male voice.
I said, "Yes" while clicking off my speakers.
"We are re-entering in ten-seconds." He responded
"Thanks," I said while turning back on my speakers.
"Bravo Team!" I yelled. The half-awake marines jumped in their seats.
"I said, BRAVO, Teeeam!" I yelled again, trying to get a response out of them.
"Yes, sir!" they responded, some a little faster than others.
"We, Bravo team, Alpha Team, Silo Team and X-Ray team are going down into hostile territory," I said looking around the cabin. "Apparently them Covenant bastards want this fucked up, piece of shit ring more, than the one us humans blew up. But them SOBs are too scared to land on it. So we, members of the 256th ODST Platoon will show them what happens when they get cold feet!" the ship started to rumble. "Am...I...right marines," I said my voice shaking from the increased vibration in the ship.
"Hell yes, sir," they responded.
The lights dimmed low, and then came back at half strength. The vibrations weakened, but their frequency sped up. A marine shouted "Hoo Ha," and the lights went dead.
"Into the, fire," I thought. I in the darkness i felt the Pelican bottom out, I tensed up, and grabbed my harness.
Installation 05: Part 2 (Touch Down)
Date: 31 August 2004, 3:39 PM
0910 Hours, September 19, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Forerunner Installation 05/ 100 meters off surface.
Pelican Drop ship Bravo 97/ Troop Cabin
Coming slowly to life, the Pelican's lights bathed the cabin in a warm glow. The Marines started moving, relaxed after the successful re-entry. Looking at my chest, I hit the release lever. The harness fell limp, allowing me to stand. Taking a few strides towards the rear controls, I tapped a few buttons, and a 50mm LAAG gun rose, silently, from the floor. I moved up to it and strapped on the harness. After a quick double check, of the harness, I pushed the hatch button. Curving its way into the drop ship's roof, it opened up, giving me a look at the rings surface. The humming from the engine grew louder, as the door slowly opened.
I saw three drop-ships behind us, fanned out, to provide maximum supporting fire. Beneath them, lay a swamp, densely covered in fog. Tall, vines draped trees, rose up from the ground, piercing through the fog. The area was undoubtedly a swamp, but something seemed off. "What's wrong with this picture?" I thought to myself, sweeping the gun side to side. " Then It came to me, not a single movement or sound could be seen or heard." Before I could give this anymore thought, the pilot turned on the cabin speakers.
"Get ready, Bravo TL. touchdown in 60," the pilot said, little apprehension in her voice.
Seeing the ground that was passing beneath me, grow closer; I turned on the team freq. "Get your ordinance boys, we here." Most of them remained seated, only some pulling out the weapon trunks. Looking back at them, I said, "Better get the guns, got some reports off angry ass wildlife here. Most of which can take a big ol' bite out of a Marine" Upon hearing this, the remaining Marines jumped out of their seats, and dug into the ammo trunks.
0910 Hours, September 19, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Forerunner Installation 05/ Surface Offloading.
Marine Base Camp/ 50 meters from Target Structure.
Slapping the Pelican, I keyed on my com to give the all clear.
"Echo 337, you are clear for takeoff.
"See ya later Sgt. Arroyo," the pilot responded, the Pelican's engines came to life, and it ascended above the treetops. The forward thrusters fired, and the drop-ship screamed into the fog. The whine of it engines grew softer with the passing seconds, until it was gone entirely.
I turned around to face the camp. It was full of motion, some Marines getting sensors set up, while others tried to keep the bulky turrets from sinking in the muck. Behind me was the thrumming of an engine. Turning around, I saw a troop hog, slide to a stop, just inches from crushing me. While spared the death, I was bathed with the grimy water, and foul smelling goo stuck to my helmet. "Shit," I thought to my self. "I'm gonna get killed by my own damn Marines." Taking a second to clean it off, I looked up at the driver. His FoF tag said; PFC: Levee, Marcus.
"Why in such a rush, Private?" I asked stepping closer to the 'hog.
"No reason sir, just getting back from layin' down sensors," he replied. As he talked three Marines jumped out of the back, apparently shaken from their ride. "Sorry 'bout splashing you, sir."
"Don't let it happen again, close calls can turn it to hits in no time, you understand me?" I said pounding me fist for emphasis.
"Crystal, sir," replied Pvt. Levee. He hit the gas and drove towards the center of the camp. I paused for a moment to take a deep breath, then headed back towards the heart of the camp.
Williams
The pelican's forward motion stopped, and it started to descend into the swamp. Looking back I saw that the Marines were ready, so I clicked of the gun harness. After motioning for a Marine to take the gun, I reached into the trunk and pulled out some weapons. I picked a Battle Rifle, and a Pistol, with seven clips of ammo for each. After sliding a magazine into the receiver, I clipped the pistol into a slot on my waist. The engines grew louder now, meaning we were about to land. Reaching back in I pulled out four grenades and to plasma and clipped them on to tracks on my right thigh. I stood back up, to face the door, and saw that the pelican's descent had stopped; now it was hovering half a meter above the murky water. I paused a bit to pull the plastic coating of the battle rifle, and load it.
Raising my hand, I yelled, "Bravo team, move out." I jumped out of the Pelican, landing in the thick, green water. I created a large splash, which reached my chest. I straightened back up and kept moving. Above me the supply ship cut through the fog, circling its way around the camp, laying down sensors as it went.
The Marines hopped out behind me, landing in the knee high water. They fanned out slowly, making sure all areas were covered. When only four Marines were left in the pelican, I ordered them to halt.
"What happened Sarge?" asked one of the Marines.
I briefly looked at his FOF tag, Cpl: Holmes, Kevin T. Most of the Marines knew him as "Nades", due to his love of the little bombs.
"Nothing Corporal, just need your four to pull the weapons of this boat." I said.
He nodded, and replied, "Yes sir, we're on it." They went to the trunks, and dragged them out. When the trunks were hanging over the ramp edge, I motioned for the gunner to jump out. He hopped out, and turned around to help the others. After a few more pushes, the trunks plopped into the water. Nades activated the inflatable pontoons on both of the trunk. They slowly rose above the water, moss and dirt clinging to them.
"Damn" said Nades. "We got to pull these all the way to the camp.
Walking up to him, I said, "Well, you better get started."
I clicked on my com, "Bravo team move to designated camp site, over"
"Yes sir" responded a few voices.
We made our way southeast towards the campsite, which Fire teams Alpha and X-Ray had already established. I heard a rumble, and sloshing behind me, and spun on my heels, gun at the ready.
Arroyo
As I walked slowly to the camp, a Marine came flying out of nowhere and ran into me. He bounced off and landed on his ass, the water coming up to his chest. Getting back up, he shook his self off.
"Sgt. Arroyo, sir!" he said, a little fear in his voice.
"What happened", I inquired, thinking that a Marine had been wounded.
"Our insertion ship Aries has urgent info they need to give you sir, ASAP."
"Where is the com link, uhhh?"
"Corporal Jesse Reynolds, sir."
"I didn't even recognize you Jess," I said, while we walked towards the transmitter.
"No problem, sir," he replied. He picked up the mouthpiece and handed it to me.
I depressed the button, "Aries this is ground team, what's your status, over."
A deep male voice responded, "We've picked up on radar at least twenty covenant drop ships heading your way, over."
"Shiiiiit," I thought to my self. I put the mouthpiece back to my lips. "Did their base ship spot you, over?"
"Negative, but we have to power down to avoid detection. Re-establish communications at 1830 hours, to you copy, over?"
" Roger that Aries, Alpha team out." I turned to the corporal, who had his head cocked in a confused way.
"Corporal," I said walking away from the transmitter. "Get the camp ready for attack.
"Yes, sir," he saluted then ran off.
Using the touch screen I turned on the communications link to Bravo team. If the Covenant attacked now, they would be truly and completely screwed.
Installation 05: Part 3 (Besieged)
Date: 31 August 2004, 3:52 PM
0920 Hours, September 19, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Forerunner Installation 05/ Surface, Offloading.
Pelican Drop ship Bravo 97/ Swamp
Two warthogs, specially designed for swamps, pulled up behind my team. They were both modified troop transports. While still being able to hold eight passengers, the rear was extended to fit a 50mm LAAG, which pierced the steel and mesh cage, meant to protect the occupants from debris and rollovers. The transport nearest to my team was empty, and the driver called me over.
"Need a lift Sgt. Williams?" he asked.
I nodded, and clicked on my speakers. "Bravo team," I said looking at them. "Change of plans, we're riding to the campsite. Load up, double quick!"
Pleased mumbling came from the Marines as they jumped in. I helped Nades load the gun cases into the warthog before getting in my self. I banged on the cage wall, and the driver hit the gas. My com link the teams at the base clicked on.
"Bravo TL this is Sgt. Arroyo of Alpha, we need you here ASAP. Our watchdog, frigate Aries, has confirmed covenant landing craft inbound." The Sergeant voice seemed very calm, despite the fact that covenant forces were closing in. "Do you read me?"
"I read you, Sgt. Arroyo," I said, pausing to place nav markers of the camp in all of Bravo teams HUDs. "ETA three minutes and counting, over."
"Roger that, Bravo team, out and over."
The warthog splashed through the muck, leaving twin waves in its wake. The trees above had runners, which bounced of the cage with little thumps. The air coming in through my scrubbers was thick hot. I could only guess how hot it was out side. The Warthog hit a log and jumped two meters before splashing back it the water. A Marine shouted "yeeahh!" as we landed. "Damn" I thought to myself. "We got to get there faster."
After another minute we reached the camp. Situated fifty meters from the structure that we were trying to explore, it proved the best place to get attacked from. My motion sensor picked up four, large enemy contacts. After hearing the whine of it engines, I knew what they were. "Phantoms," I whispered to my self. They were in a wedge formation and coming in low, right above the warthog.
0920 Hours, September 19, 2552 (Military Calendar)
Forerunner Installation 05/ Surface.
Marine Base Camp/ 50 meters from Target Structure.
The phantoms came in low, just above the tree line. The corporal had done good. Three rocket-launcher wielding Marines stood behind me. I had me hand raised, as it was signal to hold fire. When the lead ship was completely pass the tree line I dropped my hand, in seconds six rockets hurtled at the target.
That's when a warthog burst through the thick foliage, sending vines and runners
flying. The first volley hit right after the Warthog passed under the Phantom. They made no real damage but caused the Phantom to slow do down. The fourth and fifth hit, the former another dud, but the latter hit an anti-grav pod, and caused the alien ship to lean forward. Just as I thought the other teams were safe I noticed another warthog, this one just starting to reverse. This is when the last rocket hit. The remaining three attacking phantoms were in the process of going around this doomed one when it exploded. The phantoms going around the sides of the blast were both crippled, one side of their ship, limp. The remnants of the first drop ship crashed into the water, causing a huge column of steam to rise up.
This is when I saw the other warthog emerge seemingly unharmed. Then without warning, the fuel tank in the wreck blew. The warthog was flung into the air. All its passengers spilled during its twists and flips. It landed up side down, sinking down to its hood. "Holy, shit" I said to my self. "This is fucked up!" The Marines, while frazzled got up and started running. This was with great cause as the last phantom opened fire.
Williams
After a few loud thumps, I counted six rockets tracking the lead phantom. Its main gun started to glow, a warning of immediate discharge. The first four rockets hit, blowing charred hunks of purple metal off the huge ship, but caused no real damage. The fifth rocket hit one of the anti-grav pods, causing the Phantom to bow forward, aimed right at our motion- less Warthog. The remaining Phantoms passed slowly by it, as if they were going into dock, not a firefight.
"Back the fuck up!" screamed a Marine, situated directly under the Phantom.
The driver hit reverse, and just as the warthog started moving, the sixth rocket hit. The Phantom detonated several seconds after impact, creating a harsh blinding white light. My suits polarization lens turned almost black to compensate. The blast had caused the warthog to be turned sideways, with its left side, my side facing the explosion. As the light faded, it was clear that two of the remaining Phantoms were crippled, making them easy prey.
The phantom ahead of us was resting next to us, and the driver had already started to move it again, when the drop ship exploded. The warthog was flung into the air, its passengers thrown free. I was in the air, about six meters up, for a few seconds for landing. I went under the swamps surface, and then pulled my self up. "Thank you dirty swamp water," I thought to myself, patting it. The two wounded phantoms were shot down. Taking only three rockets a piece. The remaining one, unluckily, was also the only one to have shielding.
Marines around me, and myself opened fire on this final transport. The bullets bounced off the ship, creating tiny sparks, but nothing else. It continued to drop, as if it were unaware, of the dozens of Marines firing at it. Pvt. Dalton came along side me wielding a newly developed thermobaric rifle.
Looking at me, he smiled, and said, "Hope this shit works." I nodded silently and continued to fire. The drop ship rotated now, the troop bay door now facing us. The shield, now shimmering from the impacts, was visibly thinning around the door. The door started to slide open, and the outlines of aliens ready to jump out, were faintly visible. The door was full open now, the Phantom, now at un-loading height, about 2 meters, started to fire its secondary cannon.
The hot plasma was chasing Marines around, playing with them more then trying to kill them. A brute charged out the door and was at the height of his jump, when Dalton fired. The phantom disappeared in a blinding flash, the mangled body of the Brute thrown clear. It hit the ground and crumpled, the groans of the dying covenant in side, growing louder. Dalton re shouldered his gun, and fired again. The bullet detonated and covered the area in flame. When they died out, several seconds later, the moans ceased.
Arroyo
As the boys from Bravo team took this last phantom out, six more came from cover. They came from all sides, only they area near the alien structure behind me was clear.
I clicked on my com. "Get all the shit and run!!!!!" I screamed into the mike. Marines ran around frantically, stuffing ammo, weapons, food, and supplies into the remaining 'hogs. They had all the essentials and a few extras, i.e. turrets, packed on the warthog.
The phantoms had dropped their payloads of covenant forces and didn't stay for the fire works. "Why did they leave?" I said to myself while jumping in one of the transports. The driver hit the gas and we were off kicking huge waves in our wake.
"I hate this shit," said Cpl. Reynolds who was sitting across from me. "It always something. Look at us." He said using his hand for emphasis. We're running from scores of bad tempered covenant into an, alien, ancient, and damn scary looking building."
A few Marines nodded in reply second before we entered the installation. The doors shut behind us, and we were pitched into darkness.
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