Death: The Dark Chapters Vol. 2
Posted By: Mister Frodo<tbone17lig@yahoo.com>
Date: 26 February 2006, 5:15 am
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"You see Jackal?"
Loni 'Homelac turned around to face the shaking Grunt behind him. "Yes, Lopso, for the last time, I see Jackal."
"Oh. Because me no see him."
Loni sighed and turned back to the clearing. "Keep your voice down. They're getting closer."
Why, oh why, did he volunteer to take Lopso up first? Surely the captain knew that Grunts were cowards. Maybe Oena had meant it as a lesson, to see if he would not make stupid suggestions again. Oh well.
The Needler fit comfortably into his hand. He'd carried it since his first day in battle, and had kept it with him since, without the knowledge of the Elders. They would have surely taken it from him had they known.
A light blinked in the distance. The signal. Loni blinked his own communications device. A Sangheili warrior, clad in crimson armor, crept nearer from the other rocks. Two Kig-Yar ambled along the path, oblivious to the ambush awaiting them. Loni gripped his Needler tighter and jumped.
It was over in seconds.
Loni stared at his commander, Oena 'Hyjoolne. Two dead Kig-Yar lay on the ground, sword holes in one and Needler shards in the other. Loni looked down at his blood-stained feet. "Wasn't it a Prophet's decree that none of the Covenant shall slay the other?"
"Unless they are Heretics." Oena gestured with his sword. "Come quickly. The Brutes will know we're here."
Loni nodded. He checked to make sure the Unggoy were following them, then headed into the Brute's structure behind Oena.
---
Vakk sighed. It had been a troubled day for his squad. They'd encountered four of the Elite traitors and countless Grunts. The filthy little beasts, they made him sick.
Right now the others were in the corner, squabling over who would get the most meat. Vakk ignored them and headed over to the squad leader. "What is your bidding, captain?"
The great soldier sniffed the air. "I smell filth." He readied his Brute Shot. "Get the others. We head out now."
Vakk nodded. He went over to the others and shoved them apart. "Stop fooling around, you two! The captain has ordered us to move out! Now!"
The two fools stopped and hurried over to the captain's position. Vakk followed, keeping his Carbine at the ready.
The captain's fur bristled. "Heretics!"
A blue streak flew down from the sky, striking one of Vakk's squad mates in the back. Another Elite charged from some cover, a sword in his hand.
The captain fired a salvo at the attacker. It dodged and struck, putting its blade through the captain's heart. Vakk clawed at the traitor, but he drew nothing but air. The final fellow Brute left dropped his rifle and tried to clobble the enemy into the ground, but to no avail.
It was Vakk alone against two of the heretics. He roared and dropped his rifle. Fury filled his mind, a single message repeating over and over: Kill the Elites!
He charged and tackled the blue one to the ground, causing purple blood to fly. But the sword-wielder hit.
Vakk stumbled back. He fell, staring at the sky. What is my purpose? Is it just to die? Will the Great Journey begin?
With those thoughts tormenting him, he drew his last breath and died.
---
Oena took deep breathes. The Brutes had been far too easy to slay; something was wrong. He glanced over at Loni and noticed the young warrior was limping.
Oena caught the recruit when he fell. "Loni? Are you all right?"
"Yes, commander." He pushed himself away from Oena's grasp and tried to walk, only to clutch a wall for support. "It's nothing. We must rescue our brothers."
"No, Loni. I will not lose another warrior." He took Loni's arm and put it around his neck. "If I must help your, than I will."
"No, Commander." Loni escaped from Oena's hold yet again. "You will not be able to attack if you're carrying me. I will stay here."
Oena pounded the wall. "I WILL NOT LOSE ANOTHER WARRIOR, RECRUIT!" He gasped for breath. "I have watched my previous twenty-one captains die, along with the three warriors from my squad. I shall not leave another behind."
"Unfortunately, commander, you have no choice." Loni coughed. "I'm...dying. Carrying me might kill us both, when only one of us...needs to die."
"No." Oena looked away from his wounded soldier. "No, I don't want to leave you."
"I am sorry, sir." Loni held onto the wall for support. "I will not allow you to carry me."
Oena nodded. He hid his face from the recruit. "Then you will stay here."
A single drop of moisture hit the floor. No more.
Loni stared into his eyes. "I'm sorry, commander. I want to see this war to its end."
Oena took a deep breath. The Unggoy waddled into the hallway. He composed himself. "I will miss you, Loni 'Homelac."
Loni nodded. "It was an honor serving for you. I will not forget."
Oena looked at the door leading into the rest of the building. There were still many Sangheili to save. But there was one he would have to leave behind.
He hefted his sword and headed down the hall. "And I will not forget you as well."
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