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The Dark Future Pt.3 Chapter 2
Posted By: mr chief 17<joshspieker@yahoo.com>
Date: 13 May 2005, 5:47 PM
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The Dark Future Part 3
Chapter 2
"Listen up Marines! We've got a mission to do. I know you were told to stay and hold the bridge, but those orders have been changed. Those sons-of-bitches up at ONI say that we've got a shit load of Covenant coming our way, and we're to fight them off. After we do that, which we will," he said as he glared at a private who was vomiting in despair, "we are to push into New France and retake it. I don't know about you, but I agree. We need more than one country to our name.
"So, there are a few hundred soldiers stuck in France, trying to hold down the forts until we can get there. There are two hundred of you here, I brought sixteen marines with me, and we should have reinforcements coming soon. So buck up and face your future, men. If you go out, at least you'll go out fighting, which can't be said for those dumb bastards we'll be killing in a few minutes. Don't think it's the end of the world, marines. If they thought we were going to die here, they wouldn't have given us a second mission. So shut up, and make bets on how many you're going to kill, OK?"
And so the defenses were once again prepared. The turrets were manned, that gate was repaired and welded shut, ammo was retrieved from the Pelican, and men prayed for their lives. Sergeant Johnson and his men deployed at the center of the wall, over the gate, where the fighting would be heaviest. Marcus and his men deployed along the length of the wall.
In the ensuing silence, the tremendous importance of this mission began to sink in, as each marine accepted it in his own way. Some started praying again, furiously and loudly. Others simply stared blankly into the gloom, or shed silent tears of fear. Sergeant Johnson and his marines seemed excited to be in the action, apparently, without fear. But Marcus Sanchez just stared at the picture of his wife and children. He said her name over and over. "Helen, Helen, Helen." All Marcus wanted was to see her face again, one last time before the end. But, as Johnson had said, this wasn't the end. ONI wouldn't have given them a second mission, and they sure as hell would have sent more men to defend the Great Wall if they thought it was needed.
From the grim darkness looking into France, a rhythmic marching could be heard. A clear, alien voice sang a battle hymn that was frightening beyond expression, and yet eerily beautiful at the same time. Marines began to cower, before Johnson snapped at them and brought them to the realization that hiding would serve no one. About a hundred feet in front of the wall, the horde halted, simultaneous with the end of the hymn. The song, as could now be seen, had been sung by an Arbiter. Marcus cringed in terror. Humans had fought Arbiters only once before, and the effects had been devastating.
The anciently-clad Elite barked a quick order, and the soft hum of Covenant vehicles began to come from across the bridge. No less than fifty Wraiths appeared behind the Covenant army, as the scream of Banshees became audible also.
Marcus aimed his battle rifle at the Arbiter as he saw Johnson doing the same with his sniper rifle. The rocket jockeys took aim at various Wraiths and Banshees, Grunts chattered with excitement, and the Arbiter roared the command to charge the wall.
Talet laughed in anticipation as reports from the battle at the bridge began to channel through. The humans had utterly and fatally underestimated the weight of the attack. The army that attacked them now was no more than a minor distraction force, drawing the Human's attention away from the thousands of craft landing in New France, inserting the largest Covenant army ever assembled on the Human's doorstep.
His gold clad subordinate turned to him, bowed his head and asked, "Why must we send nearly our whole Empire to the Human's doorstep, when they are at the brink of defeat?"
"Fool," responded Talet, "These humans have lasted longer than anyone could have predicted. Do you not know what is housed on this planet? The Ark you fool. The Prophets are becoming impatient to start the Great Journey. And, O yes, the Prophets are on their way."
In the asteroid field that was the remnants of warring fleets around earth, several hundred pieces of debris suddenly sprung away in all directions, as a planet-sized vessel jumped into the system. The High Charity was nearly the size of Earth, and overshadowed nearly the whole of the Covenant fleet.
Devotion's voice rang loudly across the intercoms on each ship.
"Worthy followers of the Great Journey, I am come to bring holy fire to this world, to purge the human menace, and propel our great Covenant into the Divine Beyond!"
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