JavaScript is required to use Bungie.net

Forums

8/15/2010 8:58:23 PM
0
The ring's cloudless blue sky became dotted with dark Pelican dropships, eclipsing the bright lemon sun. The majority of the Jackal ships sat in stasis over a single large island in the distance, a couple flew in a patrol. The Pelicans descended into this sunny section of the ring. The dropships lined up as though in a charge, flying forward and down towards the watery surface with Longswords blaring by overtop. They rode like the valkyries, surrounded by a vibrant blue sky and set against a deep clear sea below. From the upper atmosphere fell one of the pirate craft, floating dangerously into the sky above the attacking human formation. Its nose lit up hungrily as, along the lateral lines of the ship, plasma exploded out in directed streams down onto the Pelicans below. The hooked craft cast an enormous shadow over the smaller Pelicans and Longswords as it unloaded plasma bolts and slicing laser rounds below. The Jackal ship continued to dive down at the human convoy, aiming for an explosive interception. The craft's solid cobalt surface glistened like a thousand diamonds, refracting and reflecting individual rays of light in a piercing rainbow. Below, a Longsword blew apart wondrously as a fresh salvo of plasma seared through its engine core. Tom's nails dug deeper into the straps of his seat. His hands seized up and he found himself breathing faster and faster. Above another explosion sounded. Static boomed through the troop bay, slamming off the walls and through Tom's head. His eyes grew wide with the pain and his jaw grew slack. He looked around. Those who had been standing now clutched madly at whatever they could. An impact sounded along the dropship's hull. The Pelicans swayed back and forth, trying to lose the ravenous Jackal craft's trace. It was closing though, moving in to intercept the smaller ships as they sped hopefully towards the large island that began to materialize in front of them. Higher up, the Longswords were regrouping. Four had broken off and wheeled up into the sky in an attempt to regain an advantage over the rapidly descending pirate. "Pelican down, Pelican--" roared the COM speaker in the troop bay as the dropship rattled about. Tom's stomach dropped. His gut began to twist into cold sinewy knots and, more than anything, he craved water. On his shoulder he felt a firm hand grasp and pull him back from the edge of his seat. The hand was reassuring, drawing him away from the dark thoughts that cornered his mind. "She'll be fine, Tom. Stay sharp," said Graves calmly. He was right. They were all soldiers. Kate would be fine. If anything, she had had more luck than he so far in this war. He had almost died twice on Jericho VII. She had left almost without a scratch. To be a Marine--just to be human--and survive in this war required a lot of luck and a little faith. He pulled himself together. Now, he just wanted to get his boots on the ground. The Longsword squadron reached the height of its arc, looping around upside down through the endless blue sky. They formed up in a diamond, with their slanted noses pointed directly at the diving Jackal craft. Below it, another Pelican exploded in a shower of red hot embers. The fighters began their descent, accelerating rapidly towards the pirate's stern. The Jackal craft lined up another Pelican and sliced it across its oblong hull with a flash of a laser. The Pelican floundered for a second, suspended on the draft of its passing comrades. Flames shot out of its fuel conduits, flaring up and out of the vents on its wings and bottom. It fell limply into the sea below. The pirate craft was within a hundred metres of a crashing interception, preparing to crush the Pelicans in a massive collision. It keyed on the only remaining Longsword attached to the convoy. Streams of streaking aquamarine plasma flew through the air towards the obedient fighter. The ship was devoured. Plasma tore through its hull, leaving an empty hole in its midsection. Seconds later, it sporadically blew apart like an untied balloon let loose through the sky. The Jackal craft roared forward and down into the cluster of Pelicans. As it slammed into the formation with its angular nose, missiles impacted thunderously at its stern. The Pelicans skirted away to the sides, their thrusters hurriedly pushing every cubic centimetre of air away that they could. The Longsword squadron fell in directly at the craft's stern. A series of quick missile strikes rippled off the pirate's shields like bullets against a concrete wall. Some found home though, propelling the Jackal craft through the formation and down further towards the ocean surface. A larger salvo crunched through the faltering shields and slammed into exposed metal. The rounds boomed sharply all around, ravaging the craft's stern and muscling it into a terminal dive. The squadron pulled off as the larger Jackal craft crashed down into the ocean, sending up huge geysers and causing a wild ripple along the surface in the distance. Its bow sank immediately as the rest of the craft was first engulfed in flame and then swiftly extinguished. White hot armour plating flew up a few metres before falling down around the site. Reverberating fireworks evacuated from the ship's engine core and splashed up into the air. All around the defeated vessel, loosened bits of the ship floated up to the surface. With its final titanic act, its stern rose and then sank. The convoy reformed. The Pelicans pushing forward and low again with the Longswords remaining above. The island grew closer. It was wide and round with large rock formations, lush greenery, and white sand beaches. Stationed motionlessly above the island's centre were three of the Jackal ships. Clear purple gravity beams--used to deploy troops--emanated from the ships' bottoms and down to the island's inner-surface, hidden by a series cliffs that circled the island's centre. "Alright, get it together. Come out fighting and hit the bastards between the eyes," the pilot boomed over the Pelican's bay speaker. Tom grabbed his helmet and slammed it down on his head in agreement. Above, the Longswords loosed a salvo of missiles towards the stationary ships at the island's centre before pulling off to engage the single Jackal ship that had remained as a patrol. Past the island, heading away, were the final three Jackal vessels. Tom's Pelican touched down on the beach in unison with the remaining six others, hovering just over the white sand. The bay doors slid open, revealing bright fresh air. Tom hoped out first, diving low to the ground and rolling up on one knee, displacing clouds of soft sand. With his left hand he held his helmet down in the wild breeze of the Pelican's thrusters. His right hand panned the beach with his assault rifle. Nothing.
English

Posting in language:

 

Play nice. Take a minute to review our Code of Conduct before submitting your post. Cancel Edit Create Fireteam Post

You are not allowed to view this content.
;
preload icon
preload icon
preload icon