sir brilliant thats the best FF ever. The dual sword thing I did that before you did. I wrote some FF before halo2 came out, but it wasn't nearly as cool as how you did. and by the way i didn't mind halo2s ending why because I wasn't looking for closure. And plaese don't jump up and down and scream at me for it, I have a friend who finds halo2 to be "a sucky-good game". Isn't that your favorite oxy-moron. [Edited on 4/18/2005]

lol, nah dude, i won't argue with you about it. but i was polishing my super large game collection (halo2, doom3, halo,err...mechassault?...) and played halo again, and it was awesome. in fact, i think the single player was better in halo ce than halo2. sure, the graphics look like crap *compared* and its different gameplay than halo2, but it was more intense, more fun. i actually got my heart pumping at a couple points in the game, where than never happens in halo2. and, i was in fact looking for closure, but now that i think of it, im both glad and upset it ended the way it did. glad cause it left everything open to anyone like myself to write stuff about, and upset cause the ending sucked, especially compared to halo ce. if anyone remembers that ending, it was classic, and worked perfectly. if halo2 had such an ending, people wouldn't have complained about it at all.

i agree with sir about the campaign. Halo2s' sucked . but yea think im gona go play some halo ce right now i know the game like the backside m-of my hand :P. well good luck to every1 gonin to play ce. O_o

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Merciless_Marc i agree with sir about the campaign. Halo2s' sucked . but yea think im gona go play some halo ce right now i know the game like the backside m-of my hand :P. well good luck to every1 gonin to play ce. O_o[/quote] yeah i agree with you guys halo2 ending sucked and halos hending was great i play halo ce all the time just to have fun because i dont have that much fun with halo2 only online but my internet is down since i moved (i'am at school).

Yeah, whereas Halo 2 had a terrible cliffhanger ending, Halo CE had that whole "you know what Master Chief has to do but you don't know how" sort of ending. It worked out really well. But, even though Halo 2's ending was kinda bad, it still left you wanting more. Who agrees?

After seeing the ending of halo 2 I was enraged. I hered that Tarturus was the last boss so when i got there i was really worried if the game was over.One reason i think it went by so fast is that even though there are more levels it seemed like there was less.This is probably because most times you dont even know your going to the next level. OMG.I cant wait to play containment.Thats the best halo 2 board i have ever seen.Turf sounds pretty awsome to.I hope bungie plays on all 4 boards.If only 3 boards then i hope containment and Turf are 2 of them.Whats your favorite boards.

while halo2s single player wasn't as fun as CE it was fun. I have 3 things "I" would have improved No.1 halo theme they need to use it more, No.2 I wan't to feel overwelmed. No.3 would an interstate blow through covenant line level hurt? by the I can't wait for brilliants new FF!! =:)

Cuz in Halo 1 U had to accomplish something to beat the level. In H2 u could just run through the ma and get to the nect lil movie.

I'm sorry what? i can't read your writing."run through the ma" no offence but what does that mean.

Because, in Halo 1 you had to accomplish something to beat the level. In Halo2 you could just run through the map and get to the next little movie. thats what hes saying

ahh ok i c wut u were tryin to say :P

i'm glad we have a translator in this forum.

HAHA!!! HERE IT IS, FINALLY!!! lol, im so tired, but i finished it...chapter 12, fully done and ready for the public eye. remember, alot of it'll be stuff you've already seen. Chapter 12 2nd Age of Halo Installation 05, Control Room 2 Cycles earlier Watching the triple layered platform level off to its original appearance, the Arbiter returned his plasma sword to an inanimate state, pinching it to his armor. So much has happened, and yet so much remains to be done, he thought. He still found it difficult to accept the separation from the Covenant, let alone the Prophet’s betrayal. Fighting against the Humans and the Flood had created enough trouble, and now more species would be on the other side of the battlefield. But perhaps the humans… The platform stopped moving and connected with the other two, bringing the Arbiter and the two Humans back to the control panel. He turned and looked down at the smaller beings, the same he would have attacked only a short time ago. “Humans, you fight with honor and dignity. Perhaps a ceasefire can be made.” They both turned to each other and smiled, the dark male carrying a strange brown cylinder with his mouth. The smaller long-haired Human, who was believed to be a female of the species, extended a slender arm and looked up to him. “It’s a deal.” Remembering the formal Human custom, her met her grasp, yet hesitated to squeeze so not to crush her hand, as the grip received was laughable for any Sangheili. The handshake had a strange quality to it, however. The physiological differences between the Sangheili and Humans were not so different, but their hands and mouth’s structures are quite different. The Sangheili’s two opposable thumbs on opposite sides of the hand with elongated fingers in between stretched to twice that of the Human hand length. But he brushed those thoughts away, reminding himself how this was a monumental moment. “Arbiter, praise the Forerunners I’ve found you!” The voice came from behind him, and as he unclenched his grasp and turned, he saw the face of a golden armored Zealot turning from a relaxed glance to a hardened stare. The Zealot grabbed his plasma sword and activated it, running towards the Arbiter. “Beware Arbiter! Humans!” With no time to explain, the Zealot rushed the Humans, his sword pointing at the darker male. The Human saw the danger and hoisted his beam rifle, letting out two quick bursts. Each struck the Zealot’s face, slowing him and thrusting his head from side to side. The Zealot’s shields held, but the beam rifle had opened to cool, and the Human grabbed the shaft so to use it as a sword. The Zealot lunged directly at the Human, but was pushed aside by a flash of silver, scorching the Human’s arm by the intense heat of the blade, but missed it nonetheless. The Human’s swing was halted in mid-air, grabbed by the same pair of hands that had just made peace. “Stand down, Zealot”, the Arbiter said in a strong and calm voice, grasping the Zealot’s forearm bearing the blade. “We have agreed to a truce.” “Arbiter, I must protest!” “No, you will not. I have not the time or patience for any feud, and the deed is done. I expect you to honor this agreement, as well as all other Sangheili.” Standing tall and poised, the Zealot looked directly into the Arbiter’s eyes, watching them momentarily. He then deactivated the energy sword and bowed on one knee. “I understand. It shall be done.” “Good. Has any word come from the Special Operations Commander?” “No Arbiter. After he gave word of the Prophet’s deceit, we have had no contact with him.” The Zealot’s head stayed lowered until the Arbiter came over and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Rise brother. We must leave this ring, and be on our way to stop the Prophets.” He walked over and picked up a plasma rifle from a fallen comrade, dead by Tartarus, chieftain of the Brutes. Yet the Arbiter had just reconciled all those dead by ending the Brutes’ life. Walking back to the Humans, several more Zealots arrived, and the first one went over quickly explaining the situation. Two of the six left to inform all allies, and were to report shortly. “Human, you hold much skill with the Particle Beam Rifle. Without the help you gave, this ring my have been activated.” “I’m much obliged.” “I wonder, however, why you didn’t kill the Zealot. The two bursts fired were not in succession fast enough to need cooling. May I inspect you’re weapon?” “Sure. Here you go.” Looking over it, nothing initially appeared out of place until he looked at the battery. It was empty. The Arbiter immediately understood. This Human was lucky to have anything left from the weapon because much of it was used on Tartarus, taking down the Brutes’ shields and allowing him to strike. “There is a plasma recharge station right behind you,” he stated, pointing to a crate with a large blue half-sphere on the top. “Simply place the gun above the illuminated area.” Both Humans looked strangely at each other, the dark one raising both shoulders in unison, and then went over to the recharge station. “We have to get back to Earth,” the female said with urgency. “The Prophet of Truth is going to destroy it, and all of humanity.” “I agree, but what can we do? Even if we acquired a vessel and returned, how could one ship change the battle?” “Isn’t the Covenant in a sort of civil war? If they are, that means that the forces that attacked Earth don’t know about that yet. If we go, at least a third of all covenant forces will side with you. I mean, you’re the Arbiter, the leader during a crisis, right?” Pondering the Humans’ words, the Arbiter found favor in them, and in the looked of necessity in the Human’s eyes. “Perhaps you are right, but our first priority is to locate transportation from this ring. We will worry about the rest later.” “Arbiter”, yelled a Zealot who ran over to him, “we have found a fallen dropship not far from here, and is still being held for Tartarus by the Brutes. They will not expect us to arrive in his place.” “Excellent work. Let us make hast, for time is of the essence.” ******* The Zealot Commander crouched behind a rock, barely large enough to mask his figure and drawn sword, but just enough necessary. The sword kicked sand up and away, making a silent indentation in the ground. The Zealot’s back leaned against the rock with his right hand steadying both his legs and focus. Craning his neck to the left, the Zealot Commander spotted the Arbiter and the two pitiful Humans. Though he would never disobey the words of the Arbiter, the stench of distrust flowed through his nostrils at every sighting of Humans. Getting the signal from the Arbiter, the Commander, let out several clicks through his communications systems built into his highly improved armor, giving orders to his Zealots through this code. Following the Arbiter’s simple yet ingenious plan, he awaited the Human’s weapon to discharge. How foolish it seemed to rely on a Human’s expertise with any weapon that any Sangheili could easily- Two shots rang out behind the Arbiter’s rock, and then another pair of purple bursts attacked a different target. Every Zealot jumped out from their hiding spots and attacked the nearest Brutes, silencing them all quickly. “Good shooting, Sergeant”, the Human woman said to the other. “Mama didn’t raise no fool. I slept with a gun long before any woman, and I wasn’t a late bloomer.” As the female laughed and the male inserted some filth into his mouth, the Zealot Commander cringed at the thought of any Sangheili female fighting alongside him on the battlefield. As the weaker of the two sexes, their purpose was twofold: raise the children and support the military by providing all they could. He immediately remembered his wife and child, both of which he left to fight off the Human infestation, now which stood in front of him laughing. How desecrated he felt. He watched the Brute blood evaporate off his energy sword, yet no satisfaction came with the kill. It was too easy, too few Brutes guarding the Phantom. “Arbiter,” he said in mild suspicion, “this seems…not right. Something is amiss here.” “Agreed. We shall search the vessel and eliminate any threat inside and escape quickly. I wish not to stay here. Have two of you’re Zealots stay here in case reinforcements arrive, while we search the vessel.” Nodding and keeping his head down until the Arbiter went on his way; a strange noise came from within the Phantom. They all looked to the entrance that was open, where the noise grew louder. A familiar and disgusting stench filled the air, the Commander’s eyes widening. Flood! Hundreds of infection forms streamed out from the ramp leading down the Phantom’s entrance to the ground, each rushing to acquire a host. “Zealots, activate camouflage!”

(Continued) “No!” The Arbiter carried two plasma rifles, and gave a look of pure determination. We will fight them head on, and dispose of their infestation! Several Zealots stood still, not knowing whose orders to acknowledge, while one lone Zealot unleashed a second energy sword and a battle cry. This Zealot ran onto the ramp before any infection forms could reach the ground, and held both blades in front of him. The Zealot slashed several infection forms with each blow, yet never left himself open to attack. The blades moved with such speed that they were barely visible, but the Flood continued its onslaught. Turning his body so to swing faster and more often, the Zealot pushed the Flood back and left a torrent of green fluid to flow down the ramp. Checking the Zealot’s status, the Commander found he hadn’t been struck even once. No infection form had been able to penetrate his perfect attack. Halfway up the ramp, the Flood began to turn back, unable to pass. The Zealot stood tall, both blades lowered to each side, as he let out a cry for victory. “Zealot, watch yourself!” The Commander followed the Arbiter’s gaze and found the danger. The infection forms grouped together at the entrance and piled on top of one another, amassing for a second strike. But the Zealot held his ground, merely waiting for the attack. Then they pounced. The Zealot disappeared, and a moving green being had emerged, all behind him ready to assist. As they approached, ten massive combat forms exited the Phantom and attacked. Most carried Brute Plasma Rifles and fired them, letting loose a storm of superheated plasma. The Zealot Commander activated his Camouflage and struck on e of the beasts in the heart, then cut it in half. Two other’s answered back with more plasma, but were silenced by the blade of another. Both Humans fired at one combat form and dropped it, but the Arbiter carried no such luck. The plasma rifles seemed to do little good against these beasts, and soon found them useless. His own shields flickered and died away from an explosion coming from a Brute Shot, and he leaped for cover. The other Zealots cleared away the rest of the combat forms, butting them off from reality, all looking back at the Phantom’s ramp, but seeing nothing. “Search the ship! Find that Zealot, and kill him if necessary.” The Zealot Commander ran up the ramp, but it began shaking as the Phantom rose. Grabbing the ledge and jumping off, the ramp clawed the ground until the Phantom gained enough altitude then was out of site. “Commander, register that Phantom as under Flood control. It cannot be allowed to leave this ring under any circumstance.” “Done, Arbiter. But now? We lay stranded on this ring with no knowledge or means of escape or communication. One of my Zealot’s has already fallen, and we know not how long until another attack from the Flood.” “No Commander, my lack of weapons does not make me ‘fallen’.” Both the Commander and Arbiter turned to the voice, and saw the Zealot carrying two depleted energy swords, but walking tall, his head high. The Humans’ singular jaw dropped, letting loose the filth from its grasp. Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!” The gaze of all Zealots turned to the Human, and soon they all began laughing. One dropped his weapon while another barely kept from falling, using his partner as support. Even the Arbiter smiled, but refused the statement to overtake him. “What, did I say something funny to make you Baboon’s laugh?” The laughter multiplied and the one Zealot fell over, unable to contain himself. Looking around, the Arbiter found the courageous Zealot also smiling, but not allowing his composure to falter. “I shall explain to you shortly, Human. Now, Zealot, how have you survived this expedition of yours?” He waited a moment for his brethren to quiet down and holstered his empty swords. “When the infection forms attacked, I simply set my shields to overload, bursting them and all Flood around me. I knew that the Flood controlled the Phantom and I tried to take the bridge, but I lacked the necessary armaments necessary to attain it,” motioning to his energy swords. “So I activated the antimatter explosives to detonate in enough time, and exited just before they left. It should activate-” A small ripple was felt through the air, a residual shockwave. “-now.” “Excellent work”, the Zealot Commander said, congratulating his officer. “A promotion may be at hand for you, if we escape this ring.” “Agreed. Commander, see if you can find any used channels-” “Arbiter, I’m receiving a long range transmission. Several teams are under siege south of out position. A small perimeter has been set, but they lack the firepower to continue on for much longer.” “Lead us there, Commander. We will sneak in and attack, making a path for escape.” “Arbiter, should we not focus on retrieving transportation off this ring. It is most vital that you leave so you may-” “No, we will retrieve them. If anything, the more of us present will allow for a better chance of survival, as well as finding the necessary equipment to communicate with the fleet.” “Arbiter,” the Commander said while looking down at the ground, his voice lowering, “the fleet is gone. After destroying all our attacking vessels, they jumped to the holy world.” He shook his head and looked back up to the Arbiter’s grey visage, his vibrant eyes, not dulled. “We are stranded.” “Hey bub,” the Human male said carrying a tempest in his voice, “just because we’re stuck here, doesn’t mean-” The Arbiter lifted a hand towards the Human, silencing him. Breathing in deeply and clearing his thoughts, only one remained, the one that would continue their existences. “There may be no vessel to allow us to leave this polluted ring. There may be no way to escape the system at all. Does this not give us the duty to find another path? Are we so weak that we give up hope by reasons of fear and stupidity? Are we not Sangheili?” ****** The squid lips all cheered and made Johnson smile, both the short-and-sweet speech itself and his own callsign for his new ally. Of course, I’m not wrong. Checking his SMG, Johnson cursed silently as he only had 33 bullets left. His ammo belt was empty, and a combat knife sat in his left boot while a pistol with one clip of ammo sat in the other. For some reason, the Covenant sniper rifle wasn’t downing any Flood, but the SMG worked fine. “Aww hell” he murmured to himself, trying to scrape off the Flood juices from his perfectly clean combat boots, shined every day at exactly 0500 hours sharp, with the exception of the last two days. But even then he managed to keep them shiny as new, never a speck on them, until now. He took out the SMG and clipped it to his ammo belt, hoping to find some extra ammo lying around for it. Hell, those damned Flood like our guns better than those crap plasma weapons. Proves they ain’t as dumb as they look, and they’re the damned most ugly things this side of the galaxy’s ever seen. “Come Humans, we must move with haste.” The Arbiter turned back and ran, the Zealots following. Being here sucks, he thought to himself. I’m stuck on this Godforsaken ring with no other marines, except for the good Commander Keyes, and all I’ve got are these 33 bullets and a pistol-worth of love. Better start looking for some extra ammo before I find myself being pumped full of it. Both he and Keyes jogged after the Elites, trying to stay just far enough away from surprises that could kill them, but close enough where anything following would feel their wrath. Keyes looked ahead while Johnson searched the ground for something useful. Anything. He was panicked or nervous, just pissed. Sure, they just made peace with a large part of the Covenant, one that could turn the tide of the war. But we’re all stuck on this damned ring trying to find a way off, and I don’t even have a good weapon to use. The sun disappeared and the temperature began to drop, the sweat on his forehead cooled, reminding Johnson that he wasn’t getting any younger. Being 45 in the UNSC as a marine sergeant, still in the field was worth an applause. But after being diagnosed to die from Boren’s Syndrome in around 2 year’s time, he kept going on, knowing he could drop at any moment. But he was the most hardcore, badass marine in the Core, and no alien bastards or mutant freaks would take him down. He’d make sure of that. The surroundings were a blur until he brushed a tree with his left arm, feeling a short sting. The burn on it was almost gone, even though it should have needed medical attention and a month or so to heal. It’s only been a few hours and the burn was almost completely healed, one of the most fortunate side effects of finding the Flood. Although he didn’t quite understand how it worked, Dr. Halsey did explain it to him once or twice. The first time he encountered the Flood, they overran his platoon, killing everyone except for Captain Jacob Keyes and himself. After some attacked him, they simply left him alone, where he was able to escape after waking from unconsciousness.

(Continued) After being bitten by the infection forms, he received some strange new abilities, like healing a hundred times faster than before and becoming faster and stronger. All his physical attributes were enhanced and he became more focused. He could pinpoint a single voice in a large room filled with marines blaring their crap music, and that’s all he needed to know. If only my clothes could do what I can. The group of Elites stopped in front of him, Keyes getting ready to find cover. The Arbiter came over to them, making no noise, even under the foliage. “We have decided to enter using our camouflage so we may accomplish our goal quickly and quietly.” “Understood”, Keyes said. “We’ll stay here and give support if necessary.” The Arbiter nodded and went on his way, soon out of sight. “I wish I had some of that invisible equipment.” I’ve got the perfect locker rooms to use it with. “Well Sergeant, you’re wish may come true. When we get off this ring and back to Earth, I’m sure we’ll trade technologies’s and start mass producing them immediately. It may even become required to have such equipment for every marine very soon.” “Then we’ll kick some serious Covenant ass, and they won’t have any idea of the world of pain brought onto them.” Commander Keyes grinned at the thought, her shoulder length black hair swaying gently in the breeze. The dirt in it held it down, and the mud and blood stains all over her uniform could have won her a Hawaiian shirt contest, but it couldn’t keep her down. She’d been through a lot these last few days; being the only Human ship in the system fighting the Covenant, finding another Halo, as well as coming across the largest Covenant fleet ever seen by any Human. She had gone through hell in a different fashion than most would consider. Every order she made was an almost guaranteed suicide mission to the marines, whether they knew it or not. Keyes did what she could to minimize the damage to her crew, but truthfully, she knew they stood little chance against such a massive force. Ordering anyone to their grave was always the hardest thing for any officer, but she showed nothing but hope in escaping and continuing the fight. Even while they were both captured by Tartarus, she stayed cooler than Johnson ever could. What can I say? She’s her father’s daughter, and those Calamari think I’m a monkey’s uncle. Keyes pointed to a ridge left of them, making Johnson focus on the plasma fire coming from the center of it. Flood were coming out of nowhere, attacking in no orderly formation, but rather one at a time. Maybe that’s how those plasma freaks have survived for so long. The base was mildly fortified, having three stationary guns and a hovering platform carrying two snipers. Several Elites ran about wielding their energy swords, scorching Flood to goo, while others simply fired from very safe positions. They undoubtedly awaited extraction, or at least a hand from anyone who could help. “This must be their lucky day.” “Johnson,” Keyes chirped, almost scaring the man, “I’m receiving a, wait, what the…?” Looking up to his superior officer bearing one eyebrow higher than the other, she looked around for a second, then back at him. “I was getting a message from Cortana, and then it faded out. All she said was the beginning to some Coordinates, but not enough to find wherever it was. Wait, I’m getting another transmission…” Getting up and standing tall, Johnson made a subconscious look of impatience. Although he’d never show it, finding more marines or Cortana made him very excited, and for good reason. The idea of fighting alongside marines was always his favorite pastime, and would always be. He felt adrenaline start to pump through him, only waiting for those few words to come out of Keyes’ mouth. “A group of marines is just over that ridge, having the same problem as these guys are.” “Then let’s go pull their asses out of there.” Just as he turned, Johnson felt a small hand grasp his shoulder, bearing force, but nothing that would harm him. “We can’t.” Thrusting his head back towards Keyes and shaking her hand away, he looked at her with one eye. She had just lifted her gaze from the ground to his eyes, showing the tiredness in her face, yet the fire in her eyes glowed brighter than ever. “Our main objective is to return to Earth, and with our new alliance, we both will have to follow the Arbiter. If we don’t, it may be the end of the Human race. If we need to make a quick getaway and we’re off somewhere else, they will leave without us, and there’ll be no way to find them again.” He immediately tensed, gritting his teeth and squeezing his weapon with all his strength. “What if we’re already too late? What if we get back to Earth and find just a smoldering rock?! Then what? The Human race will be just us two. Some guys dream of that situation, but I know better. I’m going to get those marines out of there, and there isn’t anything that can stop me.” Moving away from her, he stopped, realizing what he had just said. “You don’t have to come,” his back still turned to Keyes. “If I’m not back when the squidy’s are, go on without us.” Looking over his shoulder again, he smiled, saying “don’t worry ma’am, we’re marines. We know what we need to do.” ****** Running from rock to rock was becoming tiresome for the Arbiter, whose active camouflage ran ten times less than the Zealots’ did. When we depart from this ring, I will modify this armor suit. Even my old less-honorable armor would be better suited for such a situation, and would surely allow a longer lifespan for me to go on. Panting and watching the recharge complete, he contemplated the situation. Our exit is clear, yet the entrance is filled with danger. The parasite attacks continually and never ceases, and those ten warriors keep them at bay. Perhaps a distraction will create a faster extraction. A blur passed by the Arbiter’s view and crouched beside him, and then color flooded the clear being, showing the Zealot Commander. “Arbiter, we await you’re command.” “Commander, I have changed the battle plan. You and your Zealots are to take the place of those pinned here while I lead them back to our previous position. When I give the signal, engage active camouflage and return.” The Commander pondered the plan, and then nodded in agreement. He sent out a wave of communiqué’s to his Zealots, encoded within it the strategy to be deployed. Triggering his camouflage, the Arbiter dashed to the encampment and found the closest Sangheili, giving him orders to spread and fulfill. A few moments later, the ten remaining allies had gathered and the Arbiter sent a signal to the Zealots. They emerged from behind their hiding spots and cleared the area of all Flood, leaving the Arbiter to escape. The commanding officer wore a dull red armor, dull from too much use and perhaps not enough servicing. But this veteran handled the situation as best as possible, keeping his command stable as well as the trainee’s and Unngoy in check and mostly unafraid. This officer relinquished his command at first sight of the Arbiter and followed all of his instructions, as did the others. The Arbiter held the rear while the veteran led the way the Arbiter described. The Zealots kept all arriving Flood distracted enough to not notice the sting of Sangheili and Unngoy moving uphill. The Unngoy directly in front of him slipped on the edge and almost fell, but a mighty grasp from behind stopped gravity short. The pebbles that rolled down the hill hit a larger Flood form, who turned and saw the escaping group. It let out a shriek that almost deafened the Arbiter, who began to cover his hearing orifice’ but refused the instinct. Rather, he pinged a plasma grenade and tossed it at the Flood form, grasping its upper torso and exploding it moments later.

“Continue on until you are out of sight. I will keep these beasts at bay.” With that, the Arbiter grabbed his sword with is right hand and activated it, the bright white blade sparking to life. He leaped from the path and slid down the rocky slope, bent down far and keeping steady with his left hand. At double the range for him to lunge the parasite, the Arbiter leaped through the air, jumping right in the middle of now several Flood forms. Before landing, he lifted his legs as high as possible and reached his sword arm low, and then just as his targets came into range, he twisted the sword between his fingers. A rush of warm green liquid came from the beats, all dismembered. Landing, the Arbiter saw two left, both on either side of him. They discharged their Human weapons on him and quickly lunged the one to his left, then threw his sword straight through his final victim. The remains of both bodies dropped along with the sword, whose blade returned to its sheath upon landing. Turning back to his previous position, the group was gone and nowhere to be seen. “Zealots, our path is clear!” Activating his camouflage, all but one of the Zealots disappeared, the final one battling more Flood. Footsteps approached him and passed him, but the Arbiter continued to watch the lone Sangheili warrior. His camouflage deactivated, but he didn’t even care. The Zealot slashed one target and another, never allowing any Flood to reach him. Then three rushed him at once, all from equidistant angles, only allowing two to leave this reality by the blade. The last one he punched, but the Zealot’s entire arm simply went through it, stuck inside the beast’s flesh. More parasites came from the fear, but the Zealot did not allow death to claim him. He jumped off the ground and pushed off the parasite with both legs, allowing him flight to the two attackers, who met a doomed fate. The beast with a gap in its flesh was pushed back into four more attackers, but exploded only a moment later, allowing the Zealot the single moment necessary to stealthily exit the battleground. As though awakening from a trance, the Arbiter followed suit and ran up the path, eager to leave. ****** Crouch-walking above the supposed position of the remaining marines, Sergeant Johnson heard the gunfire and screams of battle. Thankfully, and unfortunately, the screams were inhuman. Straightening up to see over the rocks in front of him, a smile grew on the man’s face as he saw marines holding off those body thieves. Now how am I gonna get down there, pull them out, and get back in time for the party? The first idea was to just yell to the marines to get up here while he fired all his guns and scare off those freaks, but he figured out all too quick that that wouldn’t work. But he knew he’d have to get down there. And fast. The situation was getting worse. The Flood was closing in on the marines. Closing the perimeter. It wasn’t because the marines were bad-shots or weren’t trying, but there wasn’t any single thing they did. They fought like the Flood world each individual entity doing what it wants. And without any cohesion, the marines were falling apart. Johnson aimed and fired his final three bursts with the beam rifle at the ‘Yellow Jello’ closes to the base and bolted down the hill. He threw it like a spear at the same freak and pulled out and fired his SMG, dropping the Flood form and finishing his clip. Just ten meters from the base another greenish-yellow blob ran towards him, flailing its arms wildly. Johnson grabbed his boot pistol and shot off its right leg with six shots, and it fell right on what should be its face. Double-timing it to the base, he unclipped a grenade and dropped it on the squirming Flood and ran into the base. “Who’s in charge of this platoon!?” the Sergeant said, the grenade exploding just as he finished. Almost all of the marines stopped firing and looked at him in utter shock, obviously not knowing what was going on. “Hey, don’t stop firing those weapons! I like my marines alive and movin!” The apparent rookies were too green to react quickly enough to Johnson and three scum-suckers flew at them. Johnson instinctively aimed and fired, but only heard the click of an empty clip. “-blam!-, I’m empty!” “Hey sarge,” some Latino accented marine yelled, “this’ll make you feel better.” He tossed three SMG clips to the Sergeant, who now showed all his teeth. “I owe you one, marine.” As soon as it clicked in place, he unleashed a torrent on any unfortunate soul (do they have souls?) that was stupid enough to get in the way of his bullet hose. Now all but one marine was firing their weapons and dropping the Flood bastards attacking them, making it seem to easy. Just as things seemed to be going well, several shots rang out from across the no-man’s-land, and the chaingun stopped firing. Johnson shot a glance to it, and ran at it as fast as he could. He knew it was the main line of defense and held the perimeter together, and least on this side. He pushed the dead marine off the seat and cringed when the body hit the ground, but still knew what he had to do. Practically jumping in the seat, the absence of gunfire let a large cluster of Flood close in on that side, and Johnson pulled the trigger. Each bullet cut out all other noise, while scum suckers dropped like flies. But how long can we keep this up? It’s been way over five minutes, and they’ve probably left. Damnit! What do I do now? “Sarge, above us!” Now what? He shot a glance up and saw a phantom floating right over them, and he had no clue whether it was a friendly or not. “Sergeant, I’ve got you you’re ride”, broke out from some intercom system from the Phantom, the voice of Commander Keyes. The Phantom opened fire on the attacking Flood and rid of them giving the marines an escape route, as well as a lot of leeway. “Marines, get under that grav-lift. It’s a long story, and I’ll explain it on the way.” “Anything’s better than this, Sarge!” They all followed his orders but kept firing at any targets of opportunity. Johnson knew that the three turrets on the Phantom couldn’t hold off the Flood, so he picked up the chaingun and fired it, walking backwards at the same time. His arms shook violently, and he was barely able to hold the damned gun, but he did anyways. Firing over 600 rounds a minute was no easy feat, and he held it with his bare hands, walking backwards to the extraction area. Flood appeared out of nowhere, but he downed them as soon as they came into sight. The bullet cage for it cut off and depleted the gun in only a few seconds, and he dropped it and made a mad dash for the lift, which got him up with time to spare. It was turning out to be a good day.

Nice chapter, Sir.

a little longer this time

Good chapter, its much better then the original. One problem, alot of the time it skipped from Johnson to Keyes without making it clear who was talking. I would be thinking, hmmm thats not something Keyes would say and then realise it must be Johnson talking. Re read it around the middle and you will see what i mean. Other then that, keep up the good work.

no, its probably just harder to see cause there are no italics set up here. if you go download it from halotheark.tk, i think everything will be alot more clear

Great chapter Sir keep up the good work i cant wait til the next chapter.

Mmmmm-mmm Good! now I can finally have a good night's sleep

Best one yet in mY opinion. Alot of action, alot of marines

2 words none others: FREAKIN SWEET

Exellent chapter, though I hate the cliff hangers. Anyway, keep up the good work.

actually there are 3 more words : WE WANT MORE!!!!!!!!