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Infinity
[ZÅ]Phoenix
Inspired by the tales of C&H, Raz, and Drk.
Chapter 1
The eyes of the Spartan finally shut. His final sight was not blue at all. It was the muzzle of a shotgun.
3 DAYS LATER...
"This wasn't an infection." - Wings, analyzing the body of his former comrade.
"No shit!" - Sinder, examining the terrain for any signs of... death. "Hurry it up! We were due back an hour ago! If Star or Adder have to get their asses out here to look for us, we are going to wind up like him!"
"Clowns." - Wings, arising from the site of the corpse.
"Stfu, lets go."- Sinder, turning on her helmet light.
"Turn it off. We will have to get to the hog with out them. They are already preying." - Wings
The team managed to find their way back to their vehicle. As the two finally loaded the body into the hog, they each hopped into their position, Sinder at the chain gun's trigger. The hog was barely warmed up when Wings turned his head to the left and cast his eyes on the stampede of zombies.
"GO DUMBASS!" - Sinder shouted, firing into the horde.
"We aren't going to make it..." - Wings, flooring the hog's accelerator, secures a line to Main Operations "We are going to need a shit ton of cover ASAP! Southwest gate. 20 to 30 incoming! 2 Friendlies on hog! ETA 10 MINUTES!"
"Roger. Deploying rescue and cover teams." - Buck
The two finally saw the base on the horizon. All lights were searching the area. Wings was pushing the hog to its max while Sinder continued firing frantically. Out of nowhere, a zombie stands its ground in front of the hog. Wings didn't react in time. It gets trampled of course. But it managed to flip the hog with the impact.
Wings manages to get out of the battered vehicle first to find Sinder pinned by the chain gun.
"RUN!" - Wings yelled as helped Sinder out of the gunner's seat. He threw a frag straight down and the two began the sprint. He knew they would both lose their shields, but it would give them precious seconds by taking out the front 5 zombies.
The grenade did it's job and threw the duo to the ground as an extra gift. The continued their mad dash for Ops. The zombies began to gain ground on them. Sinder, slightly behind Wings, could hear their panting and rapid footfalls. Ready to be a sacrifice to save her leader, she took a sticky out, finger on the detonator, when *whizz* The closest zombie fell back with a hole in its chest.
"It wasn't a head shot EZ." - Phoenix, standing behind the squad in the snipers tower "Slow, eXile, Bane, don't follow his example. Open fire."
As Wings and Sinder finally neared the base they took a peek back. The horde was gone. No. There was one left. Wings saw it. In full active camouflage.
"We aren't safe yet, Sinder!" - Wings, running. "One more!"
"Then why did the snipers stop?!" - Sinder, running out of breath.
"Done sir." - Sniping Squad
"IDIOTS!" - Phoenix jerked the rifle from Slow's grip. He aimed and fired at the camo zombie. It didn't fall. But it was now visible to all. "Bastard... Overshield..." he muttered to himself. Phoenix then addressed his team through the com channel, "Your all's turn."
"JUMP!" - Wings, as he and Sinder leaped over a mound. "We are almost there! The gates are opened!!" *A mound? This area is clear of... We are safe.*
"He is closing in!" - Sinder, sprinting full steam.
As the zombie made his leap over the same mound he was met with a shower of shotgun shells from below. Two Spartans arose from the earth.
"Damn, it did work, Carn." - MasterA, standing over the body of the zombie.
"Don't doubt me next time." - Carn, attaching his shotgun to his back.
"Let get back in the gates." - MasterA, running back towards Ops followed by Carn.
The two met up with Wings and Sinder who where closing the South Gate. The two pairs exchanged glances. A close call. As the four turned they set their sights on something that cast more fear than the dead zombie outside.
"Carnage, MasterA, good work. Return to duty. Wings and Sinder. Briefing room. Now." - It was Star. The power in her voice was all she needed to command. "Wings, protocol is alreay drilled into your head. And Sinder, not a great way to start out your first days with your new rank. You two better have a damn good reason for staying out after daylight."
"We do." - Wings "And you will need to summon the senior staff for this as well."
Chapter 2
"Raz was a high-ranking official." stated Adder, sitting at the cold, metal table within the briefing room. "His research and investigations led him out into field for months at a time. He was a staff member as well as one of the one of the older zombie assassins in the clan. I expected him to come back."
"The only things we could get back were his tags" said Wings, sitting to the left of Adder, passing his fellow leader the tags of their fallen friend. "He seemed to inscribe the letters 'FC' on them"
The senior staff had been summoned to the briefing room. Slim, Star, Wings, Adder, Taco, Buck, Numpty, Red, Luna, Ninja, Bvigil, Tuna, Bagels, Phoenix, Hat, Huggy, Jeckle, MasterA, Carnage, EZRab, Code, Grimm, Sinder, and eXiLe. Theses 24 made up the group.
"Slim, Taco, Tuna, do any of you know what this could mean?" asked Buck, now in possession of the Spartan's tags. "Was he in contact with any of you?"
"I honestly have no idea. Other than us, most of the FCs have gone MIA since the alliance with ZA." responded Slim, sitting at the head of the table, exchanging glances with Taco and Tuna.
"We need to get the intel on what he found out. The last report he sent in stated something about getting close to a break through with his investigations on the origins of the Outbreak." said Star, at Adder's right side. "Whatever he discovered also got him killed."
~~~~~
Five Spartans stood on duty at the West Gate. The day was just beginning. Each soldier sluggishly carried their rifles while leaning against the rails on the catwalk above the gate.
"What do you think causes the summoning of the entire Senior Staff?" asked Allie, looking at her fellow clansmen.
"It has to be involved with that incident last night." answered Bane, while gazing off into the fields.
"You think it's true that one of the staff members was murdered??" questioned Drk, standing next to Bane.
"If so, I wonder who is out there... Senior Staff members don't go down easily." replied Brick, standing across Allie. "Who ever is out there... We need to bring him... It... Down"
"Enough talk." injected Grosbebe, readying his assault rifle. "The morning zombies are coming... As always."
The squad opened fire on the approaching zombies. They never learned. The zombies should know by now that the area now inhabited by ZA's Main Operation's base is a place to go to die... again. This same conversation and "target practice" was present at the other three gates. This Spartan's death brought something even darker than zombies over ZA.
~~~~
"Carnage, Phoenix, Luna, Hat, and Ninja, I want you all to continue the lead on whatever Raz was working on. I will give you all access to his reports, personal logs, and his former quarters." ordered Star, arising from her seat. "Keep your investigations on the down low and you have all clearance to leave Main Ops."
"Everyone go back to your stations and positions." said Wings, getting up from his seat too. "All of you keep this of the down low as well. Assure the clan that everything is being settled. If asked, tell them this meeting was to discuss an increase in safety and protocol for field teams. Speak nothing of Raz's death. As far as you all know, he is still out there alive. Dismissed."
<END CHAPTER 2>
Chapter 3
*Why was Infinity declared a no man zone by the leaders? I have recently been tracking zombies. Every week, at least one zombie heads in the direction of Infinity. This is not a coincidence. I am going to ask the leaders for permission to enter the area. I am getting close to the origin. I know it. The Outbreak, the answers, they lie in Infinity*
"This was his last personal log." said Phoenix sitting at a console in the Communication Center of Main Operations. "Did any of you come up with anything from his reports?"
"Nothing. Basically the same thing you just read, only more professional for the leaders." replied Luna sitting at another console. "Carnage and Ninja are checking his quarters, but I think they will get the same results"
"Even though he was always outgoing, he kept his research to himself." stated Phoenix. "We won't get clearance to cross the border. Bastard didn't leave us anything..."
~~~~
"Noobo, 2. I need you to ready two hogs for me. Fully stock both and put extra supplies in the passenger area of one." ordered Hat. "Have them ready by sunset. Tell no one of this. Understood?"
"AYE SIR!" replied the two.
"You have your orders. Dismissed." said Hat (in that sexy accent)
~~~~
"So any leads on your end?" asked Luna, sitting a a table in the mess hall.
"Yes actually." replied Carnage, sitting across the Lieutenant General. "We found a metal sample within his quarters. We analyzed it and the results showed that it came from one of the bridges on Danger Canyon. But there was also another signature in there. There just wasn't enough of the sample further analyze."
"Hat is reading our supplies for a field mission, isn't he?" questioned Ninja, sitting to the side of Luna. "Hope he has them ready."
"We should leave tonight. He should have everything ready by then." said Phoenix, getting up from the table. "I'll notify Star. Let's meet at the North Gate after sunset."
"I'll relieve the guards on duty for 15 minutes as well as deactivate any security and logging systems so we can get out without a peep." said Ninja.
~~~~
5 HOURS LATER
"2, Hurry up on your hog!! We should have been done already!" yelled Noobo, just finishing packing the last supply pack on his hog. "God damn, let me help you. I'm not getting in trouble because of you."
"I got it! Sheesh..." said 2, throwing a crate of ammunition in the passenger area of the hog.
The doors to the North Vehicle Station opened and the five man squad entered.
"You two, open and shut the doors for us. Then, you both are dismissed." ordered Hat while getting into the drivers seat of a hog. Ninja took the gunner seat.
"Remember, tell no one of this." said Luna while getting into the other hog.
"It's a day long travel on hog. Let's move out." said Carnage while getting into the gunner seat of Luna's hog.
Phoenix joined Carnage and Luna in the hog. The outer door to the vehicle station opened and the team set off on their journey.
"Heh, I packed that team enough ammo for a week long mission!" stated 2 while leaving the vehicle station.
"WHAT?!" exclaimed Noobo, pinning 2 against the wall corridor. "I WAS IN CHARGE OF THE AMMUNITION! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PACK THE FUEL!!!"
"Well you never told me!!!" yelled back 2, shoving Noobo off of him.
"They won't have enough fuel to make it back!!" shouted Noobo.
"Well then no problem! They can't get mad at us!" said 2 starting to calm down. "They will just go down as MIA."
"We are going to Star right now!" stated Noobo. He grabbed 2 by the shoulder plate and stormed for the Central Command Center.
~~~~
*whizz whizz*
"Still a bit rusty, eh, Slim?" hollered Wings, crouching behind a pillar. He readied his sniper rifle.
"I wouldn't be talking, old friend," responded Slim while reloading in cover.
Wings rolled out of cover and got off 3 rounds before he felt the graze of his opponent's returning fire. He fired his last round as a cover shot before jumping behind a shield. The two were already nearing the end of their practice session. Both were exhausted. They were tied. One more score to go.
"Let's call it a night." said Slim holding his rifle about his head while getting out of cover.
"Hah. Fine," replied Wings, doing the same action. "You knew I had you."
"Yeah, sure." chuckled Slim while entering the weapons locker. "So how did it go? Kind of pushed it at the end a bit."
"Had to." said Wings following Slim. "The Staff Sergeant didn't stick her nose into anything while I was 'cleaning up'. Guess she is still scared of us leaders."
"Good. Damn Star put a team together though." said Slim, closing the Sniper Rifle cabinet. "They are not going to be as easy to get rid of."
"If they do catch on, it is going to take more than just Cookie to take them out." replied Wings while leaving the locker. Star put brains and brawn together for that team."
"Don't screw this up, Wings." stated Slim, stepping in front of his comrade. "Too much, so much time and planning, is at stake. Do not take any chances. Understood?"
"Don't worry," responded Wings. "It is almost finished."
"Almost..." said Slim. "By the way, I win." He was holding his pistol at Wing's abdomen.
"Idiot." replied Wings, glancing down then leaving the Simulation Room.
Slim put away his pistol, powered down the room, and followed Wings.
<End Chapter 3>
Chapter 4
Four Spartans were walking up the slope inside the metal tunnel. They each made their footsteps as quiet as possible. They entered the next chamber. A small corridor leading to an overhang of a large room that had one exit to the outside canyon. As they exited the small corridor onto the overhand they all remained crouched until each member was on the platform.
"Carnage, give me an estimate." ordered Ninja, crouching at the front of the pack.
"10 to 15," whispered Carnage, now lying prone and peeking over the edge of the overhang.
"Let's keep moving." said Luna at the tail of the squad. "We need to get to that ledge so we can secure a position."
"You heard the lady. Let's go." replied Ninja.
The team continued into the next tunnel that lead to a room with two more corridors. They took the longer path, going at a slightly faster pace. They entered the last and longest tunnel. The light at the end of the tunnel drew closer and closer. The squad finally made it outside. The canyon separated them from the ledge they longed for. The bridges were their lifeline.
"Ok, let's make a run for it." said Ninja, beginning his sprint toward the bridges.
His comrades followed closely behind him. There were halfway across the ledge when 4 zombies appeared at the end of the bridge. They had been lying in wait, prepared for an ambush. They charged down the bridge.
"OPEN FIRE!" screamed Ninja as he crouched and pulled the trigger on his AR.
Hat, behind Ninja, fired off his AR as well. The zombies didn't go down. They seemed to be wearing overshields. The front one got to Ninja. The Spartan slammed the butt of his rifle into the face of the zombie. It seemed to have no effect. He now was using his gun as a shield from the blows the zombie threw. Hat ran up to his comrade, jumped over his head, and tackled the zombie. The zombie fell back onto the bridge, but Hat couldn't control the fall and tumbled off the narrow bridge. Ninja grabbed the leg of his falling friend, leaving him helpless to the next zombie climbing over the recovering one. Ninja took out his pistol and emptied the magazine into the creature. Its OS went down with the last round. But the zombie was already wound up for a smash into the helpless Spartans helmet. Before it could get off its punch, the zombie's head exploded and its body fell off the bridge.
"Sorry I'm late." said Phoenix over the com.
Ninja looked down into the canyon below. The sniper was reloading and aiming for the remaining two zombies in front of his teammates. Each zombie took four rounds, but they both went down before reaching Ninja and Hat.
Almost directly behind that action was Luna and Carnage fighting off the swarm of zombies that was inside that room. The earlier gunfire had awakened them. Carnage was reloading his shotgun as Luna threw a frag grenade to give her time to reload as well. One of the zombies made a leap onto the bridge avoiding the grenade. Carnage dropped his shotgun, took a frag of his own out and charged straight for the zombie. He blocked the swing of the zombie with one arm and jammed the frag into the armor of the undead. He gave the zombie a kick then leaped backwards as far as he could. From behind, Luna fired one pistol round straight into the grenade lodged within the zombie. Carnage splattered all over Carnage.
Phoenix, already up the edges of the canyon leading into the same room his team was in, was sprinting into the corridor that would lead him to his team. As he to approached the light at the end of the tunnel, he was met with a running zombie that took him straight to the ground. The tackle caused the Spartan to loose the grip on his rifle. Phoenix flipped the zombie over him and recovered, searching for his weapon. The zombie, now recovered as well, made a leap straight for the soldier. The crack of rifle went off as the creature landed back on the Spartan. Carnage, sprinted back into the tunnel to see what happened. The zombie rose... then rolled to the side and collapsed to the ground as Phoenix got back on his feet pushing of the creature.
"Ninja, Luna, and Hat are already on the ledge!" yelled Carnage, heading back out the tunnel. "Let's go!"
Phoenix followed and both made it across the bridge. Hat and Ninja were already guarding the two bridges that lead to the ledge.
"Well that, wasn't too bad." said Phoenix, regaining his breath.
"Shut up." Luna snapped in response, cleaning the pieces of flesh off of her armor.
Chapter 5
"WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY YOU DIDN'T GIVE THEM ENOUGH FUEL?!" screamed Star, sitting behind her desk in the Command Center of Main Operations.
The other Leaders and Senior Staff now focused their attention on the bashing Star was about to give.
"It was Noobo's fault!!!" blurted 2, standing on the opposite side of his leader's desk. "He never told me what to load!"
"Don't blame me you idiot!" yelled back Noobo, next to his fellow Corporal. "We are both taking the blame for this!"
"I don't care at the moment who's fault it is! Right now we need to put another team together to get them back to base!" Star said in a stressed and angry voice. "You two are dismissed. As of now you are both assigned for Zombie Body Cleanup Duty until I say so. Hope the gate guards pay more attention then you all when they are watching your asses."
The two soldiers, head hung, exited the Command Center. Star knew that even if she were to send a team now, the 5 man squad that set out would have to fend for themselves for at least a night. Now the leader wonders if she should even send a team if they have the possibility of only finding corpses. She leaned back in her chair, and exhaled. As she looked up, Wings was at her desk now.
"I'll go for them." offered Wings. "We need to keep this within the Senior Staff. I can have a team and transport ready in 3 hours."
"Hurry then please Wings. Take Numpty with you. He knows that area well." pleaded Star. "They will have to survive a night. They won't be in a moving hog like they were when traveling. The only thing they have going for them is that they will more than likely set up camp on the DC ledge."
"They can make it. I'll be taking Tuna as the other man." Wings said while already leaving the Command Center. The members who heard their name called followed him out of the CC as well.
~~~~~
2 HOURS LATER
"Sir, the hog is ready, as well as the fuel needed for the 5 man squad." proclaimed Numpty, standing beside the warthog in North Vehicle Station.
"Well done, you and Tuna saddle up." replied Wings. "Give me five minuets."
"Yessir!" responed Numpty and Tuna.
Wings exited the station to meet Slim right outside the doors.
"You will now have to get rid of Numpty as well." Slim stated in a firm command. "And if anyone on that team survived the night, well I guess that is why you volunteered isn't it?"
"I am going to get rid of the ZA before we get to the Canyon." Wings replied. "Tuna and I can handle him easily. I am hoping to find only 3 of that squad left. They will be drained and barely on their feet. Thanks to those two dumb asses we aren't even going to need to contact the other FCs."
"Don't leave any loose ends. We caught a major break." said Slim leaving the other leader.
Wings knew that completing this would take any delays off of their plans. All research that ZA had gathered would die with those 5 members. His only concerns were how many of that team would he find alive. The Spartan reentered the vehicle station and approached the hog his comrades were in. He got in the driver's seat, ordered the control operator to open the outer doors, and peeled out.
~~~~~
"Hat, I blame you for this." Phoenix accused over the com channel. He was standing guard beside Luna who was taking more samples for the bridge.
"I'll let you win this one." responded Hat, standing guard at the other bridge. "I though those two could handle at least that..."
"Well that is what you get for trusting the best friend of my brother and that noob Noobo." snapped Luna collecting her samples.
Just an hour ago as the team went back to the hog to pick up the equipment, the had realized that no additional fuel was packed for them. The hogs would barely have enough fuel to make it out of the Canyon. They were far out of communication range. The team was on their own. The members set up a camp on the ledge and made the most out of the situation by collection extra samples and doing the occasion sniper practice down the canyon to any zombie heading for base or way up the canyon. Ammunition was something in ample supply.
"Night is coming." stated Ninja, in the middle of the ledge looking out across to the other side. "They will come in hoards and waves. None of us will sleep."
"Then let's get our meals in now." suggested Carnage, breaking out the nutrition packs. "I got dibs on... 'Pork Chops and Potatoes'... *sigh* Not even rum to go with this crap."
~~~~
Slim and Adder were doing their daily examinations of Main Ops activities. The duo entered the area Training Grounds and Firing Ranges. This is where the Spartans who found their way to Main Operations were being trained to be worthy of carrying the tags of ZA. The walked up the a boundary of a Combat Course. They stood next to Drk and MasterA, two of the members in charge of training these new soldiers. A 4 on 4 match was going on. Regular weapons, no shields, both teams were about halfway to the score limit.
"How are they looking?" asked Adder gazing at the privates scrimmage among themselves. "Any hope for the future of ZA?"
"Stuntman and Savior are almost ready. They still got a bit to go." replied MasterA, gazing into the course as well.
"Ulric and Tulip are learning fast." added Drk. "They will be good Assassins."
"Let's hope so." chuckled Slim turning to leave the training grounds. "You coming Adder?"
"Yea let's go." Adder said following Slim. "The wife asked for us to go check up on the two noobs. Let's hope they didn't kill each other while picking up the dead undead."
The leaders made their way to the West Gate. Their was always some sort of... friction.... unease... between the two eldest leaders. Almost as if they were black and white. Two sides of a coin. Dark and light. A feeling that destiny had something in store for them. They two leaders continued they daily rounds.
END CHAPTER 5
Chapter 6
Two Spartans were standing on a ledge. This place was one of the highest known points in Halo. They stared into the gorge below. Two bridges to their right and two bridges to their left. One set identical yet at a lower altitude than its counterpart. The valley below was massive. This was the largest area known to Spartans. Yet it was empty. No signs of life other than the pair standing on the ledge over looking the middle of the map. Or, so it seemed.
"Slim has notified me that everything is going according to plan." said one of the Spartans.
"That boy did well. I didn't think he could carry out a mission of this magnitude." replied the other.
"We have waited so long for this. Once again we will dominate Halo. ZA's reign is coming to an end." said the first.
"Their Senior Staff will make good test subjects. Apparently even Cookie had a bit of trouble taking one their Lieutenant Generals down." stated the second. "That bastard almost discovered us. Good thing we recovered intel he got."
"Yes, we did get lucky stumbling upon that scrawny clan back then. But now the cloud of a war is approaching. I have been dying to use my rifle again. I want to take out my imposter."
Chuckling, his partner responded "All in due time Bagel. All in due time."
"I have always envied your control and patience Marmite." responded Bagel. "Let's go check up on our subject shall we?"
"Yes I guess we should." answered Marmite.
The two jumped off the ledge. Falling at speeds that would kill them on impact, they both never flinched. The Spartans braced themselves as they hit a sharp downward slope that then carried them safely to the valley they were once hundreds of feet above.
Marmite and Bagel. The two names that were lost in history. The founders and original leaders of FC. They were have said to set off on their own path. The reality was, when they left years ago, their true plan started. Slim, Wings, and Taco, back then the subordinates of FC, were sent off on their longest and horrific missions ever known to a clan. And now, nearly half a decade later, the mission was about to end.
END CHAPTER 6
Chapter 7
"Making a run for amo!!" Hat shouted (in that sexy accent) as he fired his last pistol round. The Spartan backed off and quickly picked up as much shotgun and pistol rounds as he could carry. Ninja had stepped up to lead and was emptying his rounds into the zombies heading down their bridge.
This process had been going on the entire night. The five man squad were 1 hour away from dawn. The zombie hoards would start slowing then. On the other bridge were Luna and Carnage. Phoenix was stationed in the middle of the bridge trying to take out as many zombies as he could before they reached the bridges. The cracking of shotguns, rifles and pistols was constant. Ammunition was in abundance. Their only positive in this situation. The team continued firing round after round, defending their lives.
"We can make it....". This was the thought going through every head of the team. Dawn was approaching. This thought could actually become reality.
~~~~~
Miles away, another group of Spartans were traveling in the 5 man squads direction. The warthog, being pushed to its max, cruised over the landscape. Suddenly, Wings, the driver, brought the vehicle to a quick stop. Taking a glance to Tuna in the passenger seat, he exited the hog.
"Why did we stop sir??" said Numpty getting out of the gunners seat. Tuna now exited the passenger seat as well.
"Let me tell you a story ZA." Wings said as approached Numpty.
"ZA? What are you doing sir? We need to get to that team ASAP!!" exclaimed Numpty.
"Years ago, there were three major clans that ruled halo. FC, A§§, and MAG." began Wings staring straight through Numpty's helmet and into his eyes. "All respected our names and we each feared the other two clans. As time went on, A§§ and MAG fell in power. Many of their members died in combat through clan wars with each other. FC knew enough to keep its distance, yet still remain a major power. Eventually both clans were no more than a small team. Our leaders, Bagel and Marmite seized this opportunity to begin fighting smaller clans and capturing their members. We eventually took the prisoners to the area now known as Infinity, and made the map our underground headquarters. It was at this time that your clan, ZA, began to gain attention and power. They began to make the cliffs and ledges of Infinity their camping ground."
"What? Wings why are you telling me this? It is dangerous to not be moving at night!!" interrupted Numpty.
Just then, Tuna pistol wipped Numpty from behind sending the Spartan to his knees.
"Don't interrupt him." said Tuna in a cold voice.
"How rude.As I was saying." continued Wings "FC now had to keep their captured prisoners in even more secrecy. We had to hold them underneath the two bases of Infinity. This was getting to be a burden. ZA continued to grow in members and power. Our leaders sent off Slim, Taco, and I to change the path of ZA. Luckily, before we met up with your clan, a certain group of Spartans had attacked your clan and left them in shambles. That is where Slim came in. Riding on a white horse, and gave your pathetic ZA new life. With this, with the exception of Bagel and Marmite, we merged our two clans. Just as we had hoped, all 3 of us gained leadership in your clan. And now, we stand at the top of the most powerful clan in halo."
"So you became our leaders? We love you for that. But FC is now almost dead. Your members are gone. Did you leaders want you to leave to continue the legacy of FC or something?" question Numpty. Tuna restrained himself this time.
"Haha. Well you see," Wings said "Bagel and Marmite were doing "experiments" with the prisoners we had captured. They were trying to improve the integration between the Spartan and its armor. With the first experiment, the test subject didn't survive the experimentation. When our leaders returned the following morning to analyze the corpse, it was gone. It was eventually determined that the creature was the first of what eventually was called, zombie. It infected other Spartans and the incident know as the Outbreak, began. This is roughly where your clan history began as well as its rise to power. Still unknown and though to be gone, Bagel and Marmite continued with their experiments. In one of their mass testings, an incident occurred and many, well zombies, escaped out into Infinity. Slim and I, already leaders of ZA, managed to get the area be made into a no man zone. So in case you haven't put everything together ZA, my leaders intend not only to become the gods of halo again, but to use ZA as their final test subjects! We will create the next breed of Spartan."
Numpty knew why they had revealed all this to him. With the speed that had earned him a place among the Senior Staff of ZA, he took out his shotgun with one arm, and his pistol in the other and pointed them at the heads of the FCs.Tuna, taken by surprise of the ZAs speed could not react in time. Wings, being able to react in time, took out his side pistol and began to fire. Numpty, not expected his leader to actually open fire, was taken back and began to run from the duo, firing wildly in their general direction to give himself cover. Wings had caught of bit of one of the shotgun blast that Numpty had fired and stopped his firing. Tuna now manged to take out his AR and began to fire at the fleeing soldier. He could fee his shields downing with each impact of a bullet. The bullet that manged to take out his shields also manged to take out the join of his left knee. Numpty fell to the ground in excruciating pain. His left leg was now useless. A 3 round burst penetrated the his back before all fire stopped. The ZA, on his knees began to reach for his shotgun to continue a fight to the death when Tuna's foot came down, crushing the Spartan's hand reaching for the gun. Wings now stood in front of crippled ZA. His chest plate had the holes of the bullets Numpty had fired.
"Don't worry. Raz will keep you company until most of your clan joins you." sneered Wings placing his shotgun at the head of Numpty.
"ZA won't fall." Numpty, breathing his last words.
"How pathetic." stated Wings.
Wings fired his shotgun. The ZA's head was now scattered across the area. The body toppled sideways.
"The filth actually managed to hurt me.... The zombies will eat the remains." said Wings putting away his shotgun. "Let's get back on track."
The two returned to the hog and resumed their course for Danger Canyon.
END CHAPTER 7
Chapter 8
Morning had arrived. Silence was slowly engulfing the land. The sounds of nature and normality could be heard once again. The crack of sniper rifle broke the peace. A zombie that was roaming in the canyon below dropped.
"Was that necessary X?" Ninja question, slightly annoyed. He was leaning against the portal wall to the left of the sniper.
"There hasn't been any action since dawn. I am bored.." Phoenix replied, reloading his rifle.
The five man squad lasted the night. Everyone still alive. Carnage had suffer a little damage to his armor in hand to hand combat with a zombie, but a new set of armor was all he needed. Hat, Luna, and Phoenix were on watch now. Ninja and Carnage were resting.
"Damn. Do you think this thing got damaged in the commotion last night?" asked Carnage holding a distress signal com. "A rescue team should be in range of it by now. Why wouldn't they respond..."
"That's if a rescue team was sent." replied Ninja. "We may have to accept the fact that we were just classified as MIAs."
"So should we start walking?" Carnage responded in a somewhat hopeless tone.
~~~~~
Back at ZA Main Operations, the Promotion Ceremony and celebrations finally came to an end. Daily life had resumed as well as the growing rumors of missing Staff Members. Star, MasterA, Bagels, and Sinder were in the Main Armory.
"I think I am just going to stick with my shotgun." said Sinder, putting down the Assault Rifle.
"Nub. Go pro and just use a pistol." teased Bagels examining the weapons on the wall. "I am going to try out the Flame Thrower for a while."
"You'll just burn yourself with the zombies." chuckled Star, picking up a Sniper Rifle. "I need to get better with this."
"We need to get more shotguns." declared MasterA. "It is the weapon of choice of the new recruits. It is all they are using for now."
"Well Cnet, Tulip and Rage, as well as a few others, like the rifle. And now that a batch of recruits has moved up the ranks. They need to start using other weapons." said Star. "We also have to account for the Spartans that left Main Ops. Noobo, as well as a few others, are no longer our responsibility. But you are right, we are still growing."
"When Carnage gets back he can organize and get us a list on what weapons we will need to start resupplying." said Bagels taking fuel canisters for his new weapon.
"Wings, Numpty, and Tuna should have rendezvoused with them this morning." said MasterA, picking up rounds for his new rifle as well.
~~~~
"Guys heads up. I see movement in the main chamber" Phoenix said over the com. He stared into the scope of his rifle and waited for his target to appear.
He waited and waited. He was sure he saw something move. Phoenix lowered his rifle. He thought he may just be hallucinating since he has been lacking rest. A sniper rifle went off and Phoenix fell back, landing on his back just inches from entering the portal that would take him down into the canyon. He looked at his shoulder. A hole was made through the armor as well as through his body.
"TAKE COVER!" shouted Ninja.
Hat and Luna dived behind the trees of the bridges they were covering. Carnage and Ninja picked up their fallen comrade and all three went into the portal. Being in a canyon with zombies was safer than being exposed to a rogue Spartan.
"Dammit" winced Phoenix leaning against the wall inside the portal room. "My left arm is useless..."
"Who the hell is that?" asked Carnage, peaking above out one of the exits of the room.
"Stay on the room Carnage!" barked Ninja, guard the other open exit for possible zombies. "Whoever he is, he is a sniper. He knows we are down here and will try to take us out!"
"Hat, Luna. Can you take him down?" questioned Ninja over the com.
"Negative." replied Luna. "There are two. They are firing rifle rounds keeping us both pinned at our trees."
"Shit..." Ninja muttered. "You need to get to that portal and get down here with us. We will have to use up the last bit of gas in the hogs and get as far away from them as possible. They may just want the ledge."
"They seem to still be in that main chamber." responded Hat over the com. "I'll chuck a frag as cover. If we make a sprint, we might be able to get down with just losing our shields."
"You all will have to try it." said Carnage. "I will throw one up there too."
Hat and Carnage time their throws and both grenades landed in front of the exit of the main chamber. Luna and Hat made a dash for the portal. Rifle rounds grazed both of them as well as pistol bullets. The two made it to the portal and were soon reunited with the rest of their team.
"We need to get to the hogs asap." ordered Ninja. "Phoenix is bleeding out too. We can treat him with the aid kits as well if we can get to the hogs."
"Can you walk X?" asked Hat bending down to asses his friend.
"Yea I can but I won't be able to provide any long range cover." replied Phoenix getting up holding his rifle with his operating right arm. "Those two are already waiting for us to run for it.."
"We need to make a run for it. NOW." said Carnage.
Hat and Ninja helped Phoenix too his feet and the squad fled from their cover. Seconds barely passed before death from above rained down. The sniper above seemed to lose accuracy as his targets created more distance between them. The pistol rounds of his partner were hitting their targets down below though. Carnage and Ninja's shields were almost gone. The team managed to get around the bend of the canyon without a casualty. They were safe from that duo. They reached their hogs, loaded up, and sped away from the gorge that had re-earned the name Danger Canyon.
"You'll survive." said Luna, sitting on the rest between the driver and passenger seat, attending to Phoenix's wound. "But you may want to choose another weapon X. Your shoulder is going to need the Med Center back at Main Ops to fully heal." Bracing herself as the vehicle was speeding over the land, she returned to the gunner's seat.
"Thanks Luna." Phoenix replied, resting his head back in the hog. "The patter that sniper was shooting. One good aim, then three cover shots. I have seen that pattern before..."
The hogs continued heading South. It would not be long before the vehicles ran out of fuel. The team would not only need to find cover, but another place to survive yet another night."
~~~~~
"They all survived the night." stated Wings, now standing on the ledge the five man squad had camped on. "I should have just brought the rocket launcher rather than this damned rifle."
"Maybe you should have given it to me?" said Tuna. "Seems you can only kill ZAs with shotguns."
"Then maybe I can only kill FCs with this rifle?" snapped back Wings. "They got away.... I didn't expect them to have ammunition much less grenades left."
"They seemed to be collecting samples." Tuna replied bending down at the camp site. "They are following up Raz's research well."
"Let's get back to the hog." ordered Wings, walking back across the bridge. "Contact Cookie Tuna. Tell him we have another hunt."
END CHAPTER 8
Chapter 9
"Heh, looks like I can't command you around anymore eh?" Drk said, sitting at a table in a Mess Hall.
"No more calling you 'sir'" Slowbro remarked sitting at the same table.
Drk, Slowbro, Dudman, and Church were sharing their evening meal time together. They were all Sergeants now. Each in charge of a group of recruits. Drk, the oldest Sergeant was recalling the days when his friends before him were once below him and he was top dog. Time changes many things.
"Don't worry," added Dudman "We will still have some respect for you. As well as remember you when we move on up!"
"Haha yes. Wouldn't want to forget about little ol' me would we?" joked Drk. "So have you all gotten your recruit teams yet?"
"Nope. But I hope Cnet and Raptor will get reassigned to me. They show a lot of promise." stated Church. "By the way, has anyone noticed how active Slim has been lately?"
"Yea I have noticed that too." Drk replied. "And then he shuts down our communications. We can't contact teams, allies, no one. And has anyone seen Taco, Wings, or Tuna lately? All the FCs are starting to act really weird."
"You think ZA and FC are going to split up?" asked Dudeman.
"Who knows. But ever since that night rescue, missing staff members, the FCs, base operations changing..." commented Slowbro. "Something is going on..."
The conversation continued for another few minuets before the Sergeants retired to their quarters. While most of the Corporals and Privates noticed no change within the clan, these guys were immediately tipped off with everything happening. Secrets are getting harder to conceal.
~~~~~
The five man squad managed to get to some shelter before the hogs ran out of their last bit of fuel. A high hill in an area known as Blood Gulch. They could view the entire area from their camping grounds and there was only one way up the side. Any zombie, or enemy, would be clearly visible and taken out long before even reaching the foot of the hill. Carnage and Hat were keeping watch. Phoenix, Luna, and Ninja were sorting out their remaining supplies and loading weapons. Night was approaching again. The smell of the blood of Phoenix would attract more zombies than the previous night.
"Wings." Phoenix said as he paused from loading a shotgun.
"What?" responded Luna. "Why did you say Wings?"
"The pattern. It is the one Wings always uses when he snipes." added Phoenix, staring back at Luna. "I am sure of it. That was his exact pattern."
"What are you saying?" quested Ninja overhearing. "Do you think Wings was one of the attackers from earlier? You can't really believe that can you?"
"It is such an odd pattern. He is the only person I have ever seen use it." stated Phoenix. "I can't believe it either, but it had to have been Wings."
"You are just trolling now right? Wings is our leader!" Ninja, raising his voice a bit. "What motive would he ever have for firing on his clansmen?!?
"FC..." whispered Luna.
"What are you saying now?" snapped Ninja.
"Raz's tags. FC was scratched into them." replied Luna. "Did he discover a secret of the FC?"
"Are you suggesting some sort of conspiracy?" Ninja was slightly disgusted now. "They have been our closest allies for years! Here even before you Phoenix!"
"With the exception of Tuna, the remaining FCs are all leaders." added Phoenix. "What was their reason for merging with ZA if only 4 members remain with us."
"Well... I don't remember." said Ninja. "And the FC members gone are all MIAs!"
"Who classified them as MIAs?" asked Phoenix.
"Slimjim." replied Luna. Ninja fell silent.
"In my years, before I joined ZA as well, two clans have never merged. During my time in A§§, FC was too a major power. Just before A§§ disbanded, one of our last meetings the topic that there were rumors of FC kidnapping lone Spartans. Did you all know of this when the merge happened?"
"No. To be honest, when The Outbreak occurred, the friendship FC offered, a powerful clan aiding a newer clan, was very suspicious to the elder members. With zombies now everywhere, it was every clan for itself." answered Ninja. "Even now, the ZA FC merge is the sole merge."
"You don't see anything with that Ninja?" Phoenix questioned.
The crack of a rifle went off. Carnage, now wielding Phoenix's rifle, took down a zombie in the distance. Several more were following behind it. The sun was setting.
"Hate to break up your little convo there, but it is about to get real ugly." Carnage said as he reloaded.
"Will you be able to fight X?" Hat asked (in that sexy voice)
"I can still use my pistol and a shotgun." replied Phoenix. "If push comes to shove, I'll just strap live frags to myself and go out with a bang."
"Giving up on become a leader eh?" chuckled Luna.
The team readied themselves for the night to come. They also were always scanning for signs of life among the hoards of death. Their attackers could now be their pursuers.
~~~~
Two Spartans entered a small metal hut behind the massive base structure. A door on the pillar in the middle of the small hut opened and out came another Spartan.
"Where are you going Cookie?" questing Marmite.
"Wings called." Cookie replied. "We got another hunt to do."
"Make it quick and silent." said Bagel. "This time, completely dispose of any bodies."
"Understood." Cookie said at the exit of the small structure. "Oh, Taco is waiting for you two down below."
"Excellent." Marmite remarked.
As Cookie left the hut and headed for a vehicle parked under the gigantic structure, Bagel and Marmite entered through the door their comrade had used and disappeared in the darkness.
END CHAPTER 9
Chapter 10
"If Wings managed to reach them in time, they should all be back by morning." Star said in a worried voice. She was in the Sniper's Tower overlooking the entire area around Main Operations.
"We may have to accept the fact that...." said Star's best friend and fellow leader, Adder.'
"Don't finish that sentence." Star snapped now focusing on Adder. "I still have hope for them. Wings found them. I know it."
Adder let out a sigh. The two spent a few more unspoken minuets in the tower before they both left to their quarters. Star was upset. Not only did she bear the worries of her precious clansmen out in the field another night, or the fact that Taco was nowhere to be found... again, but also the incident with one of her sergeants earlier that night. Church had decided to disregard protocol and disregarded orders of both her and Adder's orders. To top off his behavior he was also found to have assaulted another clan. He too joined Noobo and the other ex-clansmen who defied ZA. Needless to say, she let the sun go down on her anger.
~~~~~
"FRAGS OUT!" Hat shouted throwing 3 frags down the hill.
The explosions gave the squad enough time to reload. Luna, Carnage and Hat were at the top of the hill firing Assault Rifles and Sniper rounds. Despite his injury Phoenix, as well as Ninja. were at the midpoint on the hill blazing through shotgun shells. Zombie after zombie fell. The hill was lit up like fire with the constant blaze of rifles going off. The team was finding it easier to survive another night. They were working well together.
"X." Ninja said over the com while taking out 2 zombies coming up on the right. "Want to see why they call me Ninja?"
"Show me." replied Phoenix, throwing a frag into a cluster of 4 zombies.
"Just cover my ass." Ninja ordered. He too threw out a frag and backed up on the hill. Phoenix put away his shotgun and took out a pistol.
Using the upper ground, Ninja made a leap over Phoenix and directly toward a hoard of zombies about 5 meters from the base of the hill. Mid air, the Spartan took out a device that was attached to his waist. Phoenix was already emptying clips into the cluster of zombies. As he landed in the middle of the hoard, the zombies covered any sight of him. The rest of his team was now concentrating all their fire on the group of zombies to save their friend. Like lightening, a beam of saber emerged from the center launching several zombies in the air... In pieces...
"No way..." uttered Phoenix who now paused his shooting. "He has an energy sword...."
Phoenix snapped to his senses and resumed firing into the hoard. It seemed unnecessary. Ninja was slicing through the zombies like a hot knife through butter. He was constantly jumping into the air then disappearing back into the hoard. Each time leaving more dead zombies in the ground. The Spartan through a sticky on the ground, jumped, then let the explosion carry him back to teammate.
"Where the hell did you get that?" Phoenix question now firing his shotgun again.
"Heh, stumbled upon it scavenging around an old alien crash site." Ninja replied. He now put away the energy sword and took out his shotgun as well. "Now you see why?"
"I suppose so." remarked Phoenix. "Hand to hand combat with you... I'll stay clear of that."
"Let's get back up the hill." Ninja said. "My shields need to recharge"
"Aye." Phoenix complied backing up with his friend. "HAT! COVER!"
"FRAGS OUT!" Hat shouted once more.
The grenades gave the two enough time to reunite with their team. The team still had a half the night to survive. But Ninja's little flash show gave them all the motivation to fight with everything t& |
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