Halo: Darkness Ascendant

Yi gingerly took the knife from Raevynn, holding it lightly. She flipped it in the air once, twice, three times, twice catching it by the point of the blade in a "throwing" grip. Then she scrutinized the hilt, and tossed the knife again, catching it so the blade pointed along her forearm; gently tapping the flat of the blade against her battle armor, she held it near her ear for a few seconds. Finally, she scraped her thumb with the blade, slowly, and then trimmed a small bit of fingernail. The process took less than thirty seconds, and Yi performed the operation crouched on the balls of her feet, with the knife in front of her, away from the other passengers in the Pelican. It was clear to anyone who cared to watch that she had more than a passing acquaintance with bladed weapons. Returning the knife to Raevynn, almost reluctantly, she said "Nice. Well-balanced. Doesn't seem like steel, though. Can it cut armor?" She jerked her head toward the Elite Keroth.

Brute pulled the magazine from the needler, and turned it over in his hands. "Pink. . ." he muttered.

"Im not sure." She answered Atkins in the typical serious voice of a spartan as she watched the marine handle the combat knife. Raevynn found it strange that they were talking to her despite her status as a spartan. Nonetheless she was thankful for it.

The spartan smiled at the marines comment. "Easily. If you've got what it takes to put it in someones armor." Her smile quickly faded away. She was starting to enjoy the company of her comrades, and she could not afford to make friends in this war.

Ten grunted, what was that feeling? Ah, pain…that was it. It was pain that was waking him up. He remembered the words of his instructor.

“Sometimes pain is your friend. It keeps you alert. But most of all, it lets you know your alive.”

Was he alive? He was hurting…he must be alive. He opened his eyes, and squinted, the sun was very bright, and very hot. Hotter than he had remembered. Groaning he rolled over and got to his feet, looking around. This place was hell. He squinted and put his hand up to shield his eyes. Where was his helmet? He ran his hand along the side of his face and winced, it was cut more than once, a lot more than once. His helmet was gone. He didn’t like that. Didn’t like the world to see his face. He wasn’t pale, he didn’t stay in his armor all the time, but it made him nervous, or insecure when people saw him without that protective shell on.

Away, that’s where he needed to go. He turned and walked over to the rock slide, or the remnants of one years past. Walking around the large gray obstacles he came to the remnants of his ghost. It was surprisingly intact, the rocks had shielded it, but one look saw it wouldn’t run. He grunted out of annoyance and then turned, but stopped suddenly. That sound. Covenant! They were coming. Some of them must have survived the blast.

Atkins sighed at the news. He didn't like not knowing all that was going on. He looked up "So i don't suppose that there will be a search and rescue mission for any of the marines left behind will their?" He asked rubbing his cold hands together.

"There were no marines left behind." Nuron said looking at Atkins, "Don't worry."

"We have permission to dock, let's go.!" The pilot shouted.

The Pelicans slowled and turned, as one they coasted into the hangar of the Razor's Kiss and the three birds set down. They landed with a dull thud, and marines started to file out.

Nuron got up, stretched his legs, and filed out along with the others, but took a quick turn off the ramp heading toward the nearest computer log. He opened his vest and plugged in. The vest started to load the profiles of the flight crew. Yi’s name was highlighted with additional spec-ops duty. Nuron glanced as they continued to load the pelicans up for yet another launch, Yi was among them helping, and he grinned to himself with thought. He went back to work on several other files within the computer, adding new programs for security, navigation and memory. Nuron put on a secure channel into Rae’s head-set but not with his own voice, “Spartan 116 we need your help with some equipment over in bay 6, and Yi is also needed, thanks.” Nuron knew she wouldn’t believe that for long but would check it out.

Nuron set his programs on over the existing ones as they now seemed to be re-encrypting the computer system; he advanced to the far end of the Hanger. At the very end, next to bay 6, which was empty, but, there was a huge compartment next to it which looked like it could easily be used as a paint booth for a pelican if they where ever repainted). Nuron went to the side door and unlocked it with a few quick codes; he proceeded inside setting the door to be left open.

The room was pitch black with only shimmers off of the cold black metal, Nuron, with his body facing the silhouetted machine reached to the right punching a button without even looking, the lights blazed to life from the ceiling and walls. What he held before him was one of his own personal designs, along with many others but probably he was one of the few that could name every part by heart (thanks to his brain), The UNSC-PC WarHawk, Serial Number 000-000-004, was of course a thing every aspiring pilot would want to get a hold of before anyone else, once they knew what they were doing and how to fly it. Nuron did a quick but thorough body sweep seeing the linked gunner system, new black fusion adapted thrusters and engine package; the sleek jet black prototype armour alloys, and aggressive, tall stance. Nuron went underneath and unlocked the standby mode off the engine which was stopping others from using it, unless required by emergency (in which case the computer would either scramble Automatic-Start or Self-destruct, depending on the circumstances). The hum was subtle; Nuron opened the hatch and walked inside, the smooth new alloy sounded as soft as a newly waxed school floor. Nuron sat down in the pilot’s seat, plugged in his vest, and started up ignition sequence.

Atkins stepped off the ramp of the Pelican his legs were aching from the fight still though. He yawned it had been a full day but he wasn't used to more then an hour of sleep or so. Unfortunately his urge to fight had gotten the best of him his wounds weren't all sealed well and he was coming down with a flew. Even now the flew was just a thing you had to wait for it to work out of your system. He would've felt like eating if another marine hadn't just thrown up all over him. Add that to seeing elite entrails scattered across the ground all day it was enough to take away anyones appetite. He looked around for a second.Damn it he thought the Spartan and Nola had snuck off again. Now Atkins would associate with anyone and he would easily make friends but he didn't take kindly to a few things one was not being included in important missions to not be included was like being stabbed in the back to him. He cursed and then went to find a place to get some new clothes he had been wearing the same suit for so long he lost track it was covered in blood dirt and lord knows what else. He was walking just walking no more then ten feet and stepped in gum "DAMMIT," he yelled. It was enough to drive a man insane.

Davaran watches through the open cockpit door, through the window at the razors kiss. Battlescars up and down the hull catches his eyes, a ship looking similar to a crater impacted moon. He stays silent, sits down when the landing tone signals and watches as the bay door slowly comes down. "This .. this is the first time I've been on a ship... in quite some time, this is actually, the first time I've been on a warship since I was in flightschool...." He gazes around, seeing people scuttering about, trying to get things done in a hurry. He also sees engineers running about attempting to get this ship ready for combat again. "I... dont remember it being so, busy though... but I suppose the ship earned it.." Keroth taps his shoulder. "I'm going to find Shxzalor, there are things that must be done." Davaran nods, "So I guess this cancels out our plan to steal a longsword and follow them to the surface?" keroth nods in compliance.. Davaran sighs, "It sounded like a good plan too..." Keroth dissapears behind the swarm of people, even his distinctive hieght and obviously different figure gone behind the mass of crates personell and vehicles. Davaran looks around, "I have no idea, where to go.. or what to do. I feel out of place really.." he mutters, realizing his words always seem to fall on deaf ears.

The spartan had just stepped off the ramp when the the transmission buzzed in her ear. Strange. The person did not identify himself. Raevynn stopped walking and turned to face Yi.
"Yi." She paused and spotted Atkins. He looked battered, but so far she trusted him more than the other marines and especially covenant. She wanted to bring him along too in case something went wrong. "Atkins," She added, "We're needed in Bay 6. Lets go." She said gesturing towards the far end of the hanger. She then turned her back and hastily made her way towards bay 6.

Yi's eyes narrowed, "Tell Sgt. Jones." was her reply, and she began to follow the Spartan. Stopping momentarily near an EVA suit, she pulled something from one of the belt pouches, pocketing it. "Do you trust him?" she asked, addressing both Atkins and Raevynn as they continued toward Hangar 6.

"Fire Team Zulu, move out to the Armory and reload, and replace any damaged armor you have. Jenkins, take Kubikov to the medics, and have them check your own eyes quick before you come back. We don't need you suddenly going blind on us in the middle of a firefight. Remember, folks, this is going to be a close-in situation, so choose your weapons wisely and bring a pistol along for the ride." Sgt. Jones ordered. Seeing the pilot-turned-engineer looking rather lost, Jones addressed him: "Flyboy, you're welcome to join us if you want. We could use an extra gun, looks like that Spartan needs Yi somewhere else. . ." He stopped as he eyed the insignia on Davaran's shoulder. "Er, flyboy, Sir." he finished, lamely, turning slightly red.

In the Armory, Sgt. Jones advised Mike on weapons. "Maybe an M-7 is what you need for this, Hawkins. Those needlers are going to be dangerous in close quarters with lots of friendlies around, and you can't holster them. Better yet, take two SMG's, and keep one of those M6C's as a sidearm. Sometimes it's better to switch weapons than to reload, if you can't find cover. I've got a bad feeling about this, though, like a goose walked over my grave." Mike eyed Becky and Amanda as he swapped out the melted chest plate. "I dunno, Sarge, these just feel. . . right. Lucky or something." Jones shook his head. "If you think you need a needler, pick one up when we hit the ship, if we can spread out enough. But I don't need you shooting at a Grunt and taking out a whole fire team when a couple of grenades cook off. That IS an order, Marine."

Davaran stands..."heh, you guys fought off a large covenant attack, and still managed to save our asses on the planet, I think you deserve atleast one mistake!" he says trying to.. ease the pressure a bit, realizing the attack ahead may very well claim his life.. "Alright, Let me head to the armory real quick.." He walks quickly to the armory, grabbing a shotgun and a magnum, somewhat of a dissapointment to allies watching but he knows the covenant halls. so he shrugs it off..

He makes his way to where the majority of the marines are concentrated. He moves into the middle of them and addresses them all.. "Look guys, we have a simple job, get in.. take their AI and get out.. we can land at their forward most landing bays and split into three teams, head up decks and try not to go too far towards the middle of the ship, if you get to a window or somesuch and see a giant.. crystal like object, you've gone too far. I've done alot of research and have some very truthworthy sources, if we work together, and work quickly.. and if everyone aboard isn't dead when we get there.. " He smirks a bit. " Guys this wont be easy.. but if you keep your sights up, keep your mind focused.. and your vision sharp, we can all come back safely.. I don't know who is going to lead this operation, I do know that if we are to do something, we need to do it now."

He stops for a moment... taking a breath and walking out a bit from the group. "I remember you two.." he says as he eyes a female cpl and a male pvt. "Hey yeah! we went to Ait together..." the woman looks at him.. "oh? OH!! how could I forget, haha, I almost did forget the bar..." the woman laughs, the man just puts his hand on his chin, wondering what the hell they are talking about, but at that exact moment, his face lit up and his eyebrows raised, "OH YEAH!!! no wait.. different time.. but still it was with you guys.." Davaran laughs a bit more, so Cpl Karmen? and.. private? Private?! its been what, four years if that? and.. private? Taylor I'm ashamed.. I am very ashamed.. " Taylor looks at him.. "Some of us, didn't really wanna be a pilot, or in leadership roles.." Karmen laughs.. "I dont think it was that you didn't want to.. I think it was that you can't." Taylor replies angrily.. "What was that supposed to mean!?"

Davaran laughs.. and raises an eyebrown at karmen.. then looks at taylor.. "What she was saying, is.. that your a very.. good soldier.. and, and your true abilities lay with that rifle, no responsibility but killing alien bastards.." Taylor looks up and smiles.. "I.. I suppose your right." he turns with a big smile and pulls out a.. very stupid looking weapon.. "Look what I made!!" Davaran almost falls backward.. "It's.. a smg.. taped to a mb5.. wow... and.. where was your CO when you made this?" Taylor smiles even bigger.

"I found some small metal pieces from all the wreckage aboard the ship, and made it so when I pull this trigger, they both fire!" Davaran laughs and tugs on a piece of tape, the two weapons falling seperately, metal pieces falling on the ground. "You.. YOU!" taylor says.. but stops and picks up his guns, trying to act like he didn't care. The three of them sit on a long box and begin talking about times past, waiting for the green light to go.

A Lieutenant walked into the hangar and looked around. He was holding an assault rifle in his hands, and had two magnums for his side arms. Two combat knives, and several grenades also added to the asernal. He was carrying a shotgun on his back. This would weigh him down but it looked like the young man could carry it, he was obvously good at what he did, to make his rank at his age. Behind him two Lance Corporals came carrying a container full of ammo, and one rocket launcher. The lugged it over to one of the Pelicans and set it in, and slumped into the seats.

The Lieutenant watched as most people stood at attention, he shook his head, "No need for that. Time is of the essence. Everyone needs to load up on their weapons, anyone else who wants to go to medical go ahead, you can still come along for the ride on the second wave of rienforcements. Our boys we sent in first got slaughtered, we lost a squad almost as soon as they landed, one of their golden bad ass Elites with a sword was waiting. Anyway, there's one squad left on the ship. One squad will move to reinforce them, and then proceed on regular mission, that is our AI. As of now we can't tell where they are hiding Flores, but I want my baby back. Saddle up!"

Pelicans are: Spear - 243
Spear - 244
Spear - 245

why does everyone ignore my posts, unless they have something that they don't like
(Zeshi)
"So this is a human warship," I said, looking around, "not bad. I like it, humans are more efficient than their actions lead to believe." I looked around. Noticing that there were quite a few female humans in their ranks. I cocked my head to the side a little, speaking to myself, "They're pretty built for female humans. Most female humans are skinny, but these ones actually took time to put on a little muscle. How unusual" I looked around, noticing a man walking into the room. He was loaded with weapons. Obviously a high ranking officer. Of course, I did not stand at attention, but leaned against the wall and listened to what he said. "So, let me get this straight," I said, "one of your squads was whiped out be a zealot. The, 'baddass gold one with a sword,' as you say. So, now, you're going to send in more of them, just so they can end up slaughtered again. Human, you need to put more thought into things." I noticed that some of the marines were staring at me. I sighed. Humans, they were a confusing race.

The Lieutenant turned to Zeshi with cold eyes, "Those men knew that the Covenant were prepared for them, and those men knew that most of them were going to die leading the first charge, but they chose to go without hesitation. The LZ is more or less clear now, and no were not sending more men in to be slaughtered you egotistical alien, were sending our men in to do the slaughtering. We are boarding your godamned ship, taking back our AI, and were going to shred any freak dumb enough to get in the way. Just watch for friendly fire, it may get a little hot once were in, and I may mistake you for an enemy." He Lieutenant walked toward a Pelican, "We'll show you who has more brain and brawn when we win this war."

Tekka merely grunted, "Do not underestimate the humans ability." He said, and hopped onto a Pelican.

Shxzalor gave Zeshi an odd look when he walked by, "If you plan to stay with these humans you may want to work on establishing better relations with them." He hopped in the same Pelican as Tekka, and watched as several marines climbed in. The other two Pelicans were also being filled as well.

ON THE PLANET

Pieces of Covenant debris littered the ground, smoking aircraft made their flaming descents toward the charred landscape, bent, twisted, and melted out of shape. Two lucky drop ships had made it out of the blasts range, now the grunts who were afraid of being punished for being late were happy because they had survived. The Covenant air-craft touched down, and four Ghosts detached and took off. Heading in the direction the others had reported something important, the interference from the humans core going critical had garbled the message, but whatever it was it seemed important. The rest of the troops piled out and started searching through the wreckage.

Many minutes later, the lead Covenant of one pair held out a hand and grunted, signaling his partner to stop. The Ghosts slowed to a stop and hovered above the ground wobbling ever so slightly. The Elite hopped off and walked off to the side, his casual footsteps leaving deep imprints in the terrain. He bent down, and his hand clasped around the black metal of a helmet, bloody on the inside. The alien turned it over in his hand, before letting out an excited shout and turned to his partner, waving it in the air. They radioed the other pair of Ghosts, and the four of them started in the Demons supposed direction

The Spartan stopped just outside bay 6 with Yi's question still ringing in her ears. She turned and looked at them both. The question was a tough one because she was not sure if she knew the answer. Raevynn was sure Nuron was waiting in that room for them, but was he really to be trusted? The psycore reminded her so much of the secretive higher ranking Navy officials that had sent their ODST into training mission with a single selfish goal of killing a Spartan. They often succeeded.

Raevynn pulled herself from her memories and spoke undertone so that she wouldn't attract any unwanted attention. "I am still not sure of his intentions. Therefore I do not fully trust the man. Rescuing Ten seems to be a priority, but there is no way to be sure." The spartan stopped and peered over her shoulder at the entrance to bay 6. "Perhaps matters can be taken care of in our own hands."

(Zeshi)
"Ahhh, strong willed humans. The only respectable kind," I said, hopping onto a pelican. "I'm going to go with. I have a grudge against the covenant now. They have betrayed me because I was a failed experiment"

"Ten--that's the Spartan Major who didn't make it on the evac crafts?" Yi seemed to relax a little without relaxing at all. "That makes more sense. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, maybe it will be a rescue after all. What was that explosion after we lifted off--ammo dump? Tactical nuke?" Not letting Raevynn answer for a moment, she turned to Atkins. "You don't move like covert ops. This might be over your head--you might see things you'll wish you hadn't. The more you know about Nuron and whatever he's up to, the more he'll fear you, and if he fears you . . . well, just watch your back. He seems like that type." Yi paused to fiddle with something at her left wrist, then waited for the Spartan to open the door.

Fire Team Zulu, somewhat diminished, climbed into the Pelican with the Elite Zeshi. Brute wasted no time in voicing his opinion. "You shouldn't be talking about getting whipped. We always kill tons of you guys. I killed like twenty of you today--I even offed two like you. Just you have so many, we can each kill five and have a bunch left over. I bet I could take you, one on one. You don't look so tough!" Sgt. Jones was quick to intercede. "Calm down, Hawkins. If you and the Covie wanna wrestle, be my guest, but do it after this battle. We need all the help we can get--it ain't gonna be easy." To the Elite, he said, "Don't mind him. He thinks fighting you'd be like wrestling a hog back on the farm. Hawkins hasn't got close to one of you guys yet."

(Lol, theevilgood, I've been excluded all game pretty much, dunno why but what ever they want suits me..)

Davaran slowly climbs into spear 244, away from everyone he knows, the hatch slowly shuts behind him... he holds his shotgun close as he begins to feel a deep warm feeling in his chest. He feels his heart racing and he begins to sweat, something just didn't feel right.

He looks around the vessel, seeing many marines, some looking half crazed, as if they wanted to do this more than anything else.. One soldier in particular rocks back and fourth, saying prayers for himself and everyone aboard. Two marines toward the front talk about how the covenant are better at ship repair and such and could possibly get their weapons online, Davaran doubted the event but still, the thought of dying loomed in his head. He reaches down and picks up a box of shotgun shells. He empties them out into his hand, trying to put additional shells in pockets and so fourth, realizing he only had two magnum magazines, one being in the gun already had him regreting his choice to an extent. If all else failed, he could always grab a rifle off of a dead marine, he knew he would be surrounded by them..

"That explosion was the 'Psycore' base. The core blew and took everything with it." She paused for a moment then added. "Or so they say. But there's no way everyone was killed. There must be some survivors." The spartan then looked at Atkins. "Do either of you know how to pilot any of these birds?" She then looked past the two and spotted the strange red armored elite. He might be a useful asset to this newly assembled squad.

Yi paused before answering. "PsyCore? Never heard of that, and that's a bad thing. You think we could pull off the mission on our own, without Nuron? I'm sure that explosion didn't kill everyone, too--Covies included. It was only about 15 kilotons or so, by the look of it. So we'll be going in pretty hot, and those Pelicans don't have much in the way of firepower. I can fly one in an emergency, but I've only done it once or twice. That Nuron probably better plan for getting down there. Maybe we could let him take us down, then keep him from doing anything he shouldn't be?"