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Fred, the bridge guard, dashed from the main corridor followed by Mr. Radi. "Gerr has confirmed Covenant boarding. This main corridor is the only way the bridge. This is where communications stands, so defend it with your lives. The Terrans can't find us if they don't know we're coming. Unfortunately, -we have nothing to lose; you understand?" "Ye, yes sir," was the hollow reply. The security duos shouldered their rifles and stood behind steel barricades that unlocked and swung from the walls. The industrial barriers were intended to help protect the bridge but no one thought that they would ever be put to use. They waited silently and ready to pull several rounds off. Mr. Radi took a knee behind a crate and slid a magazine into his officer's pistol. Footsteps echoed from the left and grew increasingly closer, then suddenly stopped. Mr. Radi leveled his gun towards the entrance. He had no way of knowing who was around the corner and fumbled his mind for a phrase. "Knock-knock!" He paused for two seconds. "Respond or we will open fire!" "Who's there! Hold your fire!" A bloodied group of engineering personnel appeared from a corridor with small arms. They walked eight meters behind the current line to find crates of cereal and onions in overhangs in the walls. These crates were dragged forward and placed between the steel doors, completing the barricade. "We're slapped bad, engineering's pretty much out. Gerr locked some of the Covies in and cut off oxygen there, funny little chip. It doesn't matter if they got the core anyways, we're leaving. We got aliens all over the ship." "Kitchen staff and sickbay, do you know about them?" "Yes sir, they're running around the ship with the majority of docking, stalling the Covenant from getting to the pods. Mr. Overuchesky is still leading the defenses and says there should be just enough time for everyone to get out." Remnants of the docking crew returned from the armory with armfuls of weapons and ammunition. They dumped their loads behind the barricades and handed larger guns to the relieved faces. The engineering personnel holstered their pistols and grabbed Terran-manufactured shotguns with welcoming hands. The Saturian single-burst rifles were viewed as superior to semi-automatic assault weapons, but nothing ever beat the classic shotgun design. Fred dragged a box of grenades along the line and dispersed them evenly. The docking crew slung rifles and pocketed grenades, apparently ready to leave. Mr. Radi explained to the eleven confused defenders, "They have to secure the pods and escort the other people to them. Then they'll be back and get you guys out but we can't leave the bridge unguarded till then. This is going be systematic, bridge people gonna watch the barricade after you leave. And then they are the last ones to go." The freckled docking supervisor nodded and casually slapped Fred on the back. "Plenty of ammo and guns to go around so be sure to leave some for the bridge nerds. Don't bother going to the armory, we scraped up everything. We leave only to return so don't cry." Gunshots and shouting echoed throughout the walkways. All the corridors led to the main one, and the barricaded personnel could not help thinking it was their duty to venture out and help. "Here they come! Open fire!" Mr. Radi's order was quickly drowned by gunfire. He pulled the trigger twice, instantly knocking a grunt to its back. The security teams emptied their cartridges with deadly accuracy and neutralized several shielded jackals within seconds. The security staff never trained for anything but unarmed combat and firearm operations, all earning the title of "expert rifleman" and representing the best marksmen onboard. The others did not have a chance to fire as the Covenant rapidly realized they had walked into an ambush and backed into smaller side corridors within talking distance of the crates. After a few moments, grunts and elites jumped out at once and fired several bolts towards the emplacement. Grunts rarely used coordinated tactics and surprised the bridge defenders with immense covering fire. "I got it! I got it!" Fred had seen an elite throw grenade during the hail of fire and instinctively leaped over a crate to catch it. The glowing orb landed in his cupped hand as he raced forward. During this instant, he realized the consequence of anxiety. Movement seemed to slow down and he couldn't hear. He was drowning in panic and agreed to the next best thing, keep on running. The bridge defenders did not need to fire another round afterwards. The docking escorts returned twenty minutes later with rifles smoking and chins dripping with sweat. Their boots were stained blue as they proceeded down the main corridor and stepped in puddles of blood. Four meters later, their soles were dyed a feint purple. "Sir, Mr. Radi, I think it be best if the everyone left goes now, were almost wasted." "Yes. Communications should be done. I'll tell the captain." |
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