just for future reference, it's INhuman, not UNhuman <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
“What's that?” Jack whispered as he stroked his LMG.
Mike and Sophie stared at Jack as if they were staring at a geek, then they looked at each other with the what-is-wrong-with-him expression.
“What?” Jack asked uneasily. “Don’t you know? Obviously it’s a Lerk! Haven’t you ever encountered one before?!” Mike whispered, stunned. “No.” Jack looked away, as if he was hiding something. “Jack, I will have a serious talk with you after this is over.” Mike exclaimed sternly.
In response to Mike’s reply, Jack looked down at the floor silently, as if in deep thoughts.
“Follow me, you two.” Mike whispered as he sneaked away from the girl’s toilet stealthily. “Why do we need to run away from Lerks?” Jack questioned. “For heaven's sake! You wouldn't want to face a Lerk head on.” Sophie uttered softly as she rubbed her injured hand.
Mike bent low, and crept to the nearest door silently. Sophie and Jack mimicked his actions as they followed behind him.
The metal door was labeled Virgo Office C; Mike tried pulling the handle only to meet some resistance. It was locked.
“Kick it open.” Jack whispered. “Nah.” Mike shook his head. “Can’t risk making too much noise.”
Mike turned the other way and sneaked to another metal door labeled Taurus Welfare. He tried pulling the handle, but it too, was locked! Mike couldn’t believe his luck; there was still 1 last door he had not tried, and he prayed that it would not be locked.
“Faster!” Mike urged softly. “We linger here any longer and they may catch our scent!”
Jack and Sophie nodded their heads, and they headed towards the last door.
Sophie stopped suddenly and spun around. She could hear sounds from the Taurus Welfare room. Whatever it was, the three of them listened intently.
There was a scream of agony. They hurrily backed away from the door and almost immediately, it burst open. A marine stumbled out screaming and collapsed to the floor. One look at him told everyone something was very wrong with him.
“God…” Jack mumbled in horror.
Jack’s first impression was that he was looking at a zombie, but he soon realized he wasn’t. The marine’s face was mutilated beyond recognition. His hair was falling, his skin was peeling off, worst of all, his face was melting away rapidly. His entire body was smoking and fizzing like concentrated acid on reactive plastic. Even his nano armor had been corroded too much to serve as any form of protection. Sparks emitted from his ruined armor constantly.
He moaned in agony and seemed to utter “help” before coughing violently. The 3 stared at the doomed marine in fear and shock, Mike knew only one thing could have caused this to him : Spore from a Lerk.
The marine was being eaten away by an enemy he couldn’t retaliate against. The corrosive spore acted like power acid, melting away organic matter such as human flesh and even ate away nano armor.
It was also at this moment that a greenish partially transparent vapor floated out. Jack knew instinctively this was what they called ‘spore’. The spore cloud rapidly engulfed the dying marine and he let out a final scream before the deadly gas completely covered him. There was an abrupt silence and they knew he was dead.
Without any warning, there was a ‘pomfff’ noise and the spore cloud suddenly grew bigger and burst out towards them. The attack was so quick and unexpected that if Mike had not pulled Jack away, the cloud would have got him as well.
At this point, a loud high-pitched cackling cry could be hear amidst the thick cloud of spore. Several similar high-pitched cackles could be heard echoing through the girl’s toilet and the entire room.
Sophie and Mike both knew this was the hunting cry of Lerks, which they used to communicate with one another when prey has been found. In this case, the 3 of them were the prey. They had been found by the Lerks, there was no chance of sneaking away now.
“LETS GO!!! NOW NOW NOW!!!” Mike cried as he grabbed Sophie’s and Jack’s hand as they charged to the last door.
Mike kicked the door and it flew open.
“Run for it!” Mike shouted and the three scrambled forward as fast as they could.
They sped past multiple rooms, ramming open doors in their way and simply kept running, never stopping for even a second. The flapping sounds and the same cackling cries of the Lerks could be heard right behind them. They heard the banging of their shoes on the metal floor, they didn’t care how much noise they made, but they simply needed to escape from the Lerks.
The three ran on and ran on, past rooms, alongside pipes and through doors. They couldn’t stop still, the Lerks were right behind, their noisy and excited cackles were getting louder and louder.
Finally, they stopped only when they hit a dead end. There were no other doors in the room, besides the one they came in from.
Mike glanced around. Surely there had to be a way out! Lerks fought well in enclosed spaces like this, if they released anymore of their spore clouds, it would be nearly impossible to escape it. Mike wasn’t confident of shooting down the Lerks before they fired their gas.
Jack and Sophie held their LMG nervously and aimed at the door. A small glass box with a button and warning sign caught Mike’s attention.
Mike glanced at the sign - ‘Fire Door’.
Perfect. He punched the glass box with his gun and hit the button.
‘Beep Beep Beep’ alarm signals echoed through the room and an enormous red blast door began sliding down slowly from the ceiling which would neatly divided the room into two. A glaring red light flashed at their faces.
Good thinking Mike, Sophie thought. The Lerks continued to make their high-pitched cries. Sophie knew their tactic. They were trying to confuse the 3 of them into thinking there were a lot more Kharaa than there really was. Once the 3 of them are confused, frightened and thrown into chaos, the Lerks would emerge and start to attack.
“MIKE!” Jack cried. “How do we get out now?!” “Oh. I already had that figured out. Look.” Mike said calmly and pointed down.
At the bottom of the wall, there was an open vent.
The Lerks cackled again, this time a lot louder and faster than before. They were ready to attack.
“Let’s go!” Sophie urged them. “Get your arse in there!” Mike instructed Jack. “But…” Jack stammered. “What if there are more Kharaa in there?” “Fine. I will go first.” Mike replied.
He crouched, switched on his flashlight and peeped into the dark vent for a brief moment before crawling in.
“It’s safe! Come on!” Mike shouted.
Sophie crawled in after Mike, and Jack got down on fours as well. Before he got in however, he couldn’t help but look behind.
The blast door was still sliding down slowly, it was only 1 metre from the ground…0.8 metre, 0.6 metre, 0.5 metre, 0.4 metre, 0.3 metre………
A shriek alerted everyone and Jack saw a Lerk for the first time as it approached from the door. It reminded him of an ugly giant bat with the head of an ugly vulture, forming an ugly combination that was four feet long. The wings of the Lerk were thin membranes filled with blood vessels, it's head was of a similar shape to the Skulk, but it featured an extra spiked sack on each side of its face. It's tiny clawed feet were tucked inwards and hardly noticable. It's jaw, like the Skulks; was also filled with sharp teeth lined with thick murky saliva. Jack quickly decided immediately this was the ugliest Kharaa lifeform he had seen yet.
Sensing that its preys were escaping, the Lerk flapped its wings and glided into the air. It then blurred as it swooped down swiftly in a 45-degree angle with lighting speed. The blast door was only 0.2 metre from the ground when the Lerk swooped under it – and got trapped. It was too big to get through and as the door continued proceeding downwards.
The Lerk struggled wildly and let out a high-pitched scream. The scream ended aruptly as it was crushed under the blast door with a disgusting ‘squash’ sound.
The blast door closed down completely at last with a loud wham, and greenish-yellowish blood along with the membrane of a wing was sticking out.
“Good riddance!” Jack remarked before he sighed in relief and crawled into the vent as well.
Edit : Changed the topics of a few chapters to include Chapter 3 in. In short, all chapters involving Henry is Chapter 2, and the rest onwards will be Chapter 3
AHHHHHHH!!!! need more......must have more.........
How long until they see a <!--emo&::gorge::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/pudgy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='pudgy.gif' /><!--endemo--> or a <!--emo&::fade::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/fade.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='fade.gif' /><!--endemo-->
just one "error" as i think: of what use would fuel canisters be on a spaceship like the bh? i mean this thing is crossing the know universe (if i got that right) ... it surely wont do that with plain fuel. cant image a use onboard either ... if you take the background then nearly everything is done by using nanites. maybe just make some hydrogen tanks out of it ;-)
another thing what i thing of being nice in a story like this: what about crossing strands? maybe the "team" meets a guy lying near a destroyed vent with a polished lmg in his hand? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
eagerly awaiting the next part <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
BadMouthIt ceases to be exclusive when you can have a custom member titlJoin Date: 2004-05-21Member: 28815Members
awesome fire eel. you are my idol! the lerk part was tense and i really loved it when the <!--emo&::lerk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/lerk.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='lerk.gif' /><!--endemo--> went squish! did i mention earlier?
The network of vents was long and confusing, with multiple openings branching off to other vents. Mike continued to crawl forward. Every ten seconds or so, he would stop and scanned the narrow space ahead with his flashlight before turning it off and crawling on. The flashlight had an extremely long working life, and could stay just as bright for years. However, its major flaw was that the chemical catalyst via-nano-fed battery would run out very quickly. Everyone had to off their flashlights and let it recharge before turning it back on. Fortunately, the recharge rate was much faster than its run-out rate.
Mike could hear the grunts and wheezes of Sophie and Jack right behind him as well as the clicks of their flashlights being repeatedly turned on and off.
“Mike!” Jack shouted. “How long more?” “I don’t know!” Mike yelled back and he kept crawling on. “Jesus! Jack, we have been here for like what? Five minutes?” Sophie rebuked Jack.
Jack kept quiet and stopped. He saw openings to other vents on either side and flashed his flashlight into the darkness. He could see nothing, the other vents were too long and dark for his light to reach the end. There was no telling however, how long they would have to keep moving on ahead in this path. Jack hated to stay in this position, he couldn’t turn and fire, if a Skulk should suddenly appear behind him.
“Mike! You sure this is the right way?” Jack asked again.
Mike stopped again and considered Jack’s question. The truth was – He didn’t know. In times like this, he had to trust his instincts. What if one of the other vents led to a safer path? What if this current vent leads into a dead end? Questions like Jack’s could not be answered. Yet his instincts still told him that he should go on straight ahead.
“Well Mike?” Jack probed. “Where are we going anyway?!” “Jack, if you would but shut up for a while please, I will answer your question. Listen. We are going somewhere safe where we can properly rest. Hopefully there will be food, water and supplies. Then, we can plan and decide what to do about BH.” Sophie answered. “Alright, I will take your word for it.” Jack replied.
No one said anything else and they simply crawled on ahead in the cold darkness for several minutes. Many times there were soft and unrecognizable echoes from the furthest parts of the vents, and the 3 of them had their guns ready.
Mike stopped once again and pointed his flashlight ahead. This time however, a faint light reflected back. Mike tensed up. What was it? He focused on the object ahead for a long time, then he understood what he was looking at.
“Now guys! Straight ahead!” Mike said loudly and crawled forward excitedly.
The metal grating of a vent opening glinted under his flashlight. Mike turned off his flashlight, and could see rays of light streaming in from the gaps on the metal grating. They had reached the end of the vent. He peeped through the gaps to search the room ahead. There were signs of neither allies nor the Kharaa. The room was vacant.
Mike pushed off the metal grating which hit the floor with a loud clank. He peered around. They had arrived at a large globe-shaped room with an enormous translucent orb in the middle. There was a huge antique looking table at one end, and dozens of chairs littered the other end. It was like some sort of a briefing room.
Looking about a final time, Mike crawled through the vent opening, followed by Sophie, then Jack.
“It’s clear. No hostiles or anything.” Mike announced. “Good.” Sophie said. “Let's rest here” Jack groaned as he crouched down onto the cold floor. “Jack, tell me the truth! Are you really a Corporal?” Mike crouched down beside Jack. “Yes, of course I am! After all, only Corporal and above are allowed to participate in the retrieval of BH. Didn’t Commander Reza said that already?” Jack replied. “I don’t believe you,” Mike said firmly. “Your behavior…your actions…your words, they are just not right.” Jack glared at Mike in the eye. “So JUST what is wrong with that? You have a problem with the way I act or something?” “Jack! Stop that already!” Sophie cut in. “You are straining our friendship, Mike!” Jack warned. “Many months ago when we were both Privates and I saved your life from Skulks, you acted stupidly. Just now when we were attacked once again, you acted the same way as before. Not only that, you threw a H-Grenade without giving us any signals. Worst still, you didn’t look before you throw, it started a chain explosion of the fuel canisters which endangered our lives.” Mike said. “I knew it was my mistake on the H-Grenade part. I am sorry already!” Jack retorted. “You did not know what was a Lerk,” Mike continued, looking hard at Jack. “You did not behaved appropriately when the Lerks attacked us!”
Jack got up immediately and moved away but Mike grabbed his shoulder.
“Tell me! Were you selected for this mission? Are you even a Corporal? Look at my eyes! Tell me the secret code assigned to all the Corporal or above for this mission!” Mike questioned loudly.
Jack’s heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed his breath. He opened his mouth to say something, but found nothing to answer Mike with.
I…I…forgot.” He answered quietly and looked down. “There never was a secret code!” Sophie cut in. “So…you are not a Corporal then, then what’s your rank? Look at me!” Mike dominated over the trembling Jack as he repeatedly probed Jack for an answer. “Fine, I will tell you the truth then. I…I…am a……Private” Jack shot out his answer and looked away guiltily. “Jack…why? Why do you do it? Why trick us? Why go on such a difficult mission when you do not yet have the experience?” Sophie shook her head; she almost couldn’t believe the words coming out of Jack’s mouth. “You could had let us know.”
Jack faced both Mike and Sophie, an expression of guilt, pain and sadness on his face.
“Mike.” Jack said. “We were both Privates then, we both braved dangers together, we both took the tests, we both were buddies, but……you out-shined me, you were a much better marine than I was. You were stronger, smarter, and tougher. Pretty soon, we took the promotion tests. You passed with flying colours. I failed…miserably. I lied to you, I told you I passed and was assigned to another squad. I couldn’t bear to tell you, or face you and said that I had failed. I…I…I didn't wanted to lag behind while everyone I knew went on……I also…wanted very much to board BH but I wasn’t allowed to……So I bought a false Corporal pass and badge from the black market. I went on the EX-200, no one noticed there was an extra marine on the team, no one could tell I was the odd one out, that I was a Private. I was glad then, that no one had discovered my true identity. But, more than anything. I was glad that you were on the same spaceship and could help me. It was a mistake, I now realized that…I never was meant for a mission like this.”
Mike and Sophie said nothing. They understood Jack's secret now.
“I…I…I…am so sorry, Mike. I am so sorry I lied to you. I really didn’t want to trick the two of you. Please, forgive me!” Jack cried.
Jack remembered what he didn't want to remember. The truth about why Dorie had left him. It was his fault, just that he didn't want to be reminded of it. He didn't want to be reminded that Dorie had been disappointed in him failing his promotion tests repeatedly. All his promises to her turned into empty promises. Their resultant arguement was what caused the breakup. Dorie never once cheated him, she never thought of making him join the TSA so she could be with Rob. He had simply been so angry that he thought the lie up, and went on thinking about it everyday until he finally believed in his distorted truth.
“Jack. All I needed to hear was the truth.” Mike said calmly. “Nothing else.” Sophie smiled gently. “I am glad you told us Jack. I for one, is willing to forgive you.”
Their conversion was interrupted when the door on the side slid open, and without a second of hesitation, both Sophie and Mike had their LMGs raised. However, it was not a Kharaa which appeared. It was none else but the great Commander Reza and another marine who walked through. Jack, Sophie and Mike stared at them, dumbfounded with shock and admiration.
“People, am I interrupting?” Reza asked with a sly grin.
BadMouthIt ceases to be exclusive when you can have a custom member titlJoin Date: 2004-05-21Member: 28815Members
finally, jack shows his true newbie colours. Fire eel, the way you kept making Jack look so stupid was very good throughout the story.
About Reza's arrival, i think it was supposed to be a grand moment but somehow, it did not feel so grand to me. I think you shoudl describe more for that part.
nah,more like he came near the door,heard something,heard the conversation,and THEN made his appearence.sometimes an unwelcomed visit is just as good as a welcomed one.
BadMouthIt ceases to be exclusive when you can have a custom member titlJoin Date: 2004-05-21Member: 28815Members
how can jack be un-newbed? Fire eel wrote him until he is a loser. Only a life changing experience can wake jack up. i mean, he dun even know what a lerk is!!!
Maybe we should just kill him off or something <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
how bout Jack winds up getting **** off beyond all sanity for some reason and lands the killing blow on that bastard child of an onos, slicing it thru the eyeball with his combat knife or teeth?
BadMouthIt ceases to be exclusive when you can have a custom member titlJoin Date: 2004-05-21Member: 28815Members
i rather the honor goes to reza for killign the onos. Jack dosent deserve anything, the way he has been acting. My impression of him is a spoilt brat who is way over his head. need to be taken care of and always gettin in trouble. Sophie is a much better character. patient with Jack and still can kik butt.
Sorry guys, no new chapters yet. I am too busy these days.
But I 've done quite some editing for the first few parts, and chapter 1a. Purpose to add more correct information, as well as make my story more relevent to the original NS game.
My hope for this story is that 1 day, Flayra will allow it to be published.
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Chapter 4 - Return Of A Leader</span>
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>4a) The Briefing</span>
For a brief moment, Jack, Sophie and Mike were utterly stunned as they stared at Reza and the marine. God had dealed them a good card at last.
“Commander Reza!” they cried gladly together.
They dropped their LMGs and did a crisp salute to Reza, the one man capable of leading them to victory, to defeat the Kharra, to escape out of this cursed place. Reza and the other marine lowered their guns and returned them a salute as well.
“I have come back to you guys now, for I am not so easily killed in battle.” Reza announced with a proud smile. “Sorry, Sir! We mistook you for a Kharaa just now…” Mike apologised. “At ease people! Things like this happen in battle. At least you did not try to shoot us.” Reza said.
At his words, the three of them lowered their heads sadly. They were reminded of Tex, and how he almost shot several of them.
“I overheard the conversation just now, it was kind of…touching actually, you know? Private Jack.” Reza glanced at Jack’s false Corporal badge “I suppose that Jack is your real name?”
Jack nodded his head, feeling ashamed.
“To tell the truth, I knew about it before this, about you and your little act.” Reza continued. “Sir? But how…” Jack stammered. Reza pointed at himself with his thumb. “Do you take me for a fool, Private? I had personally handpicked every single marine here, except you.” “Sir, you knew? So why did you – ” Mike asked. “Let Jack onboard? Even though I said anyone lower than rank of Corporal would be throw out? Let’s just say that missions like these could always use an extra marine. And especially right now, an additional man who can use guns is especially important. Jack could use the experience too.” Reza explained. Jack bowed to Reza. “Thank you for that, Sir! But then when we get back…” “Do not worry, although what you did is certainly punishable in the code of the Frontiersmen, I will not report this matter to my higher-ups.” Reza said.
Jack sighed in relief at his reassuring words.
“If we ever get out of BH alive that is” Reza added.
The marine next to Reza stood forward, “I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Burt, nice to meet everyone.”
Burt was a short and stout guy. He seemed tough, and ugly veins were visible on his neck. Burt's eyes were narrow and emotionless, and his face seemed to be carved out of stone. He frowned, making him look colder still. Like Reza, Burt had a few smaller scars on his forehead and cheek, and there was also a recently-aqquired bruise on his face. This man gave Jack and Sophie the creeps.
Mike tensed at the mention of the name. He had heard the last transmission between The Behemoth and Earth. The name Burt rang a bell, could he be –
“Excuse me Burt. But could you be the Burt whom I heard from the last transmission between BH and Earth?” Mike asked.
Sophie and Jack stared at Burt. Now that Mike mentioned it, Burt did sounded like he was from the last transmission.
Burt nodded his head sadly. “My best friend Struk was on BH. I suddenly lost contact with him, and I knew it had to have something to do with the Kharaa. I know the chances of me finding him is extremely slim, but…I will never…Never forgive the bastard Kharaa for killing my friend!” “I guess that makes two of us.” Sophie added. “People, this is no time for such formalities. As every of you can see on this map – ” Reza begun, laying a map showing the layout of Behemoth on the table. “We are right now, on the second level, Topogeography Room. What we need to do, is to get onto Sub-Control Room on third level, which won’t be easy. We will go there by this way.” Reza scratched a line which zigzagged through the map, showing the path that they will be going by.
Everyone bent forward to examine the details of the map more carefully.
“We will pass by a Resource Nozzle, and go front all the way till we reach the lift. We move up, go all the way to Sub-Control Room. Currently, we do not have our helmets with us, and lack the Heads Up Display and Mini Map. Until then, we must all stay as one. I do not know if there are anymore survivors other than us, I hope there is.” Reza instructed.
The four marines nodded their heads.
“Mike and Sophie, report?” Reza asked. “Yes, Sir! From the time since EX-200 exploded to now, we have lost three marines. The first was an unidentified marine who couldn’t enter BH, and was lost into space. The second was Jeff, who was eaten by a huge unidentified Kharaa species. Though I cannot be sure, the huge Kharaa species which ate him was beyond anything I had seen. I estimate it to be at least four metres high. It looked and behaved exactly like an Onos, and didn’t seem to get hurt by our bullets.” Mike said.
Sophie and Jack nodded their heads in approval. They remembered personally how powerful Onii was, and how it almost killed them along with Jeff.
Reza’s eyes widened, “If what you say is true, then we wouldn’t know what else could be lurking on BH. Be careful marines, try your best not to attract any attention or the Kharaa may be alerted of our presense.” “The third marine whom we lost was Tex. Somehow...he went insane and tried to shoot us. We left him behind, but...” Sophie paused. “He was killed by Skulks.” “I see...it wasn't totally your fault.” Reza said sadly. “What about you fellas? Any injuries?” “Yes, Sir! But it is not critical, I received a pretty bad cut on my right hand, while Mike’s shoulder was almost crushed by a Skulk. I don’t think Jack has any serious injuries.” Sophie answered. “We got to get the two of you patched-up first. Also, right now what we need are some big guns. Our current weaponry could work against Skulks and Lerks, but I can’t be sure when an Onos or Fade comes along. For now, this is the plan : We still head in the path I had said, but we would stop for any possible healing stations or salvage any guns and ammo along the way. Do you get me?” Reza instructed. “We get you, Sir!” everyone said loudly. “Not so loud! We do not want every Kharaa on BH to come hunting us down.” Reza replied.
At his words, Jack raised a hand to his mouth apologetically.
“Sir, do you know which part of space are we currently at?” Sophie questioned. “Good question. If you see from this globe which represents the overall part of space which BH is at.” Reza began as he stabbed at the orb with his finger. “But then, which is which?” Jack asked, confused. “You can see from the white dot at the right that it represents the moon. The red dot far away is Mars. The green dot at the direct center is BH and the blue dot facing BH is Earth. This means one thing marines.” Reza exclaimed as he glanced at his watch. “It has only been several hours since EX-200 was destroyed. BH has passed by the moon for a couple of hours as well. That means there if BH continues on at its present velocity, there is only at a day or less before BH lands on Earth, if that’s where BH is heading.”
Everyone glanced the orb, which displayed information exactly as Reza had described.
“A huge spaceship full of Kharaa is going to land on Earth?! The Kharaa are planning a direct invasion?! But as far as my memory goes, the Kharaa have never done something so large-scaled before!” Sophie cried, aghast. “Precisely, and that’s what worries me the most. Until then, lets set off. We have spent enough time here. Also, do not give me the We-Get-You-Crap. I have heard that for years and I am bloody tired of hearing it again. Let's go, fellow Frontiersmen of the TSA!” Reza held his LMG up high and his marines followed after him.
Never before, had the five marines ever said the pledge of the Frontiersmen with so much pride and honor. The war was going to begin in three hours and they had to prevent it no matter what – Even at the costs of their lives.
“Standing On The Edge Of The Unknown, Between Humanity And Whatever Would Threaten It. From The Ashes Of Defeat, Hope Shall Rise. We Are None But The Frontiersmen.”
BadMouthIt ceases to be exclusive when you can have a custom member titlJoin Date: 2004-05-21Member: 28815Members
go REZA! i really like the way you ended this chapter. awesome.
one thing though. i dont really like the part when jack told reza about the onii. it seems a bit forced into the whole passage. That means that is dosent seem to belogn there.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>4b) They Are Getting Smarter</span>
“I am glad you three managed to make it so far.” Reza exclaimed as he and Jack, Burt, Mike and Sophie walked together in a neat row.
Jack could catch glimpses of stars and vast darkness of space from the many huge glass windows on the wall. He knew The Behemoth was moving at a fast speed, but the positions of the objects in space never seemed to change. The lights on the ceiling were dim and dull, as if they themselves were signs of a uncertain future. Jack couldn't concentrate on the words that the others were sprouting, he was too engaged in his own thoughts.
He darkly remembered the marine they failed to save, and that he could still be out there floating helplessly in space, suffering a slow, cold and painful death. Jack told himself he would not let another marine die, not Mike, Sophie, Burt or Commander Reza. He would not let anyone of them die.
“Yes, it’s all thanks to the training you gave us from before, Sir.” Mike replied, smiling. “Now...now, didn’t I told you earlier I didn’t like the ‘Sir’ crap?” Reza turned to face Mike, narrowing his eyebrows. “Yes, Reza.” Mike said hurrily. “Good. I am glad that you and Sophie heeded my training advises.” Reza added. “Reza...” Jack stammered nervously. “Yes, Jack?” Reza asked. “Could you...erm, give me the same training as you gave Mike and Sophie? I mean, after we are all out of this mess and so on?” Jack asked. At his words, Reza smiled gently. “No problem Jack. I give you my word.”
Burt frowned. Everyone was too light-hearted right now. They seemed to have forgotten the very danger they were in. The fact that The Behemoth was heading to attack Earth, and that countless Kharaa still roamed this spaceship with them. They were simply too noisy, talking too much, and they were not alert enough.
Burt glanced behind constantly to watch out for any backstabbing Kharaa. Please, he prayed. Please let us get to our destination without any trouble.
“Sir – I mean, Reza, I am curious. How did you and Burt manage to make it?” Sophie asked. Reza replied, “The same way all of you did, we – ”
From directly straight ahead, a loud shriek was heard and caught everyone’s attention. It was definitely not from a human. The marines recognized it well – The shriek of a hungry Kharaa.
“Heads up people. Skulks.” Reza warned as he raised his LMG and aimed straight.
Mike and Burt took up shooting positions beside Reza, a trusty formation they had been taught from training. Meanwhile, Sophie spun round and aimed behind while Jack mimicked her actions.
“Come…little baby…” Reza murmured under his breath in a soft and dangerous voice.
Another shriek sounded, this time directly above them. Reza’s heart skipped a beat as he realized with horror that they were directly below a vent. They were mostly likely caught with Skulks on both sides and the top. The little bastards had them in a deadly trap.
There was a flurry of loud taps and clicks around them, and the grave thought went into everyone’s mind : Cloaked Skulks. Without a moment to lose, Reza charged to the side and rammed the nearest door open with his body.
As everyone poured into the room, Jack see that it was a standard bunk with several beds, tables and chairs, lockers – dried human blood and dozens of bullet holes on the walls. A battle had taken place here previously.
“WATCH OUT!!!” Sophie screamed suddenly.
Without the slightest sound, a Skulk dropped out from an open vent on the ceiling. There was another loud snarl as a second Skulk approached through the door. A third Skulk followed after it.
The bunk abruptly turned alive with bright flashes from gunfire and the coughing gunshots of their LMGs. The three Skulks leapt around gracefully, easily dodging the deadly bullets and snapping their deadly jaws in mockery at the marines' attempts to hit them.
As Burt was reloading a new clip into his LMG, a Skulk suddenly rammed headfirst into his belly and he dropped to the ground, gasping for breath as if he had been punched in the gut. Instinctively, the Skulk bounded backwards onto the ceiling as a hailstorm of bullets showered the area where it had been standing a moment ago. It leapt at the source of its attacker : Reza.
He sprawled to the floor as it whizzed past his head, and turned and fired into its underside. The Skulk shrieked in pain and crashed onto a bed, it never got up again.
Jack and Mike dispatched another Skulk that was unfortunate enough to be sandwitched in their middle. Reza turned to see Sophie jump back against a wall to dodge the last Skulk. Immediately, he grabbed the nearest chair and hurled it into the Skulk’s path. Before it could leap away, the chair struck it and it smashed onto the floor heavily. Everyone aimed at the Skulk and fired as it was getting up. It jerked as rounds after rounds of bullets tore into its body, holding it erect for a second before it exploded and its tattered remains simply fell.
The battle had been concluded. No more Skulks appeared, and Reza sighed in relief.
Greenish-yellowish blood covered the entire room. One Skulk laid dead on a bed that had been stained bright yellow from the blood. A second Skulk stayed motionless on the floor while the other Skulk had been blown into several pieces with its body on the floor but other parts spilled about. Pillows, blankets and feathers were scattered everywhere while a clawed leg was below a chair and pieces of meat on another bed.
Burt slanted against a wall as several small crumpled pieces of ruined nano plate dropped off his badly damaged nano armor.
“Those bastards...they are getting smarter than ever.” Reza said with a sober tone. “Burt, you all right?” Sophie asked, concerned for him. “Yeah, I think I am – ” Burt suddenly coughed violently before he vomited blood and collapsed to the floor. “BURT!” Everyone screamed as he clutched his stomach in agony. “Someone help him, please, also, I feel…kinda…dizzy…” Sophie moaned as she clamped on to a metal bar with her trembling hand.
She staggered for a while and fainted onto Jack’s waiting arms. The gash on her right hand had opened up again, and blood was dripping out slowly onto the floor.
“Get them onto the beds!” Reza ordered.
Sophie and Burt were both lifted to two clean beds and their injuries were examined. Reza sickly realized just how serious the situation was. The Skulk had leapt directly at Burt’s stomach and not only had it damaged part of his armor, it had also shattered several of his ribs. Meanwhile, Sophie was suffering from a loss of blood, the wound on her right hand which was earlier ripped slightly by a Skulk was bandaged, however, the wound soon opened up again. Her skin was pale white, and she sweated profusely as she mumbled indistinguishable words.
“No! No…please! Wake up! Wake up you two!” Jack cried as he tugged at Sophie and Burt. “Jack!” Reza roared. “Let them rest!” “But…” Jack protested. “They are not gonna die? Are they?” “No. They will not die. I will not allow it.” Mike said firmly. Reza nodded his head, “For now, I believe they will last on. I personally know Burt; he won’t die so easily. And I believe Sophie wants to save Earth too. They will not allow themselves to die now!” “But Reza. We need to get ourselves resupplied. We have ran out of rations, food, water, and we are fast running out of ammo as well.” Mike declared.
No one said anything. Words of encouragement or consolation were useless now. A dark cloud had entered everyone's hearts, a grim thought that all was lost now. The disgusting smell of the Skulks remains were barely noticable to the three marines who still stood. No one bothered to guard the door or seal the vent. There simply seemed to be no way for them to heal Sophie and Burt, their future seemed doomed.
Twenty-five marines who set out on this impossible mission – Five remained now, two of whom are disabled and dying. Yet, the two marines, Sophie and Burt still fought in unwaving battle against the God of Death. Their eyes were shut tightly, and their bodies stayed motionless, but they were very much alive inside.
Reza stroked his chin for awhile as he considered the best move to make in this disadvantageous situation. The last thing he would have done was to leave his two marines behind. As their leader, he had to weigh the risks, the odds and the chances of him succeeding and bringing them sufficient resupply safely. He had to place their well beings above his own life at all times, as well as place the retrieval of data and stopping The Behemoth as a top priority.
“Mike, Jack, the two of you have to stay here to take care of them two, meanwhile, I will go to the Supplies Room alone. I know the way as I have memorized the map.” Reza instructed Mike and Jack. “Reza, will you really be okay alone?” Mike asked in concern. “Mike, trust me now, just as you have always had. I willl leave my map with you now. If I do not return in half an hour, go on without me. I will catch up later.” Reza said. “But Commander, we – ” Jack argued. “DO NOT argue with me, Private Jack, for I was not assigned as your Commander for nothing. I know what I am doing. What you need to do is to take care of them, make sure no Kharaas come and attack. That's a direct order! Get it?” Reza sternly lectured Jack. “Yes, Sir! Good luck!” Jack and Mike both said, much to the annoyance of Reza. There was no need for them to be so formal in a life-or-death-situation like this.
Following suit, Reza took with him a spare clip of LMG bullets and a spare clip of Pistol bullets.
He checked his equipment and armor status a final time and left.
ah,now we see the famous rambo marine in action,now what.He's gonna claim half the ship's resource nodes and get the comm to drop everyone a HMG <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I have a feeling,if they come across weapons,jack's gonna take either the shotgun,or the GL <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif' /><!--endemo-->
BadMouthIt ceases to be exclusive when you can have a custom member titlJoin Date: 2004-05-21Member: 28815Members
the action is good but somehow, it did not seem to be so face paced. fire eel has wirtten the human relationships part well in my opinion. I think you shld concentrate on the atmosphere a bit.
Striding forward at a constant pace, Reza moved through the path with little trouble. No Kharaas had approached him yet, nothing to hinder him, no locked doors. Everything was going smoothly according to plan.
His photographic memory helped him tremendously as he found himself facing many T-junctions and cross-junctions. If he had not memorized the map so well, Reza knew he wouldn’t have stood a chance here.
Already he had been walking for a full five minutes. He noticed that the higher parts of the walls had more Bacterium, and warmer areas seemed to really suit the vile growth. Entire clumps of them grew disgustingly thick around pipes that strangely leaked water. Reza wondered how long the water had been leaking – The water dripped slowly onto a small pad of spongy Bacterium, which never seemed to absorb enough liquid.
Reza wondered if perhaps, this was what planets of the Kharaa looked like – Bacterium growing lush on high areas and warm places, and soaking up water in the rain. He knew that Kharaa planets had never actually been found before. The Kharaa were only found on planets in the Ariadne Arm that supported or once had human life, they never occupied a planet where humans had not colonized.
At last, the Supplies Room was in view. Fortunately again, the door was not locked, and as Reza entered, a nauseous smell filled his nose.
Dust and dead bugs, Reza thought in disgust as he stared at the floor. The only light in the room came from the open door. He hit a switch and the lights turned on.
At least two dozen guns glinted under the light. Reza grinned. Rows after rows of weapons much more advanced than the LMGs and Pistols lined the shelves. Reza saw Heavy Machine Guns, Shotguns and Grenade Launchers. Another shelve held an excess of the ammunition of the guns. There were HMG clips, boxes of shotgun bullets, and stacks of GL grenades.
HMGs are similar to the LMG he had, except that they are bigger, heavier, and pack a much stronger punch. Each can fire up to a hundred and twenty-five bullets before running empty, more than enough to rip through Skulks and any other Kharaa. The only disadvantage is the bulky clip which proves too large to be reloaded quickly. Also, a HMG has tremendous recoil. Even the strongest marines has trouble maintaining steady aim when firing for long. Nonetheless, the HMGs were too attractive to be ignored.
Shotguns are also another powerful and useful weapon. They fire ten pellets that spread out with each shot. This greatly compensates for lousy aiming. Also, up close, the shotgun is more devastating than any other weapon. A good shot can butcher several Skulks at once, and even bigger Kharaa life forms would fall quickly under sustained fire. The shotgun however, must be reloaded with each shot, and can only hold up to eight bullets.
Reza closed the door behind him and moved forward. He ran his hand along the shelves of HMGs and Shotguns; they were in superior condition. Reza thought sadly that it was a pity the marines before did not live to use any of these guns. If they did, they would probably have managed to put up a hell of a fight against the Kharaa.
There were another three huge refrigerators at the wall. Reza read the signs on them. One was ‘Emergency Nano Medical Packs’. The other was ‘Military-Ready-To-Eat Biscuits’. The third was ‘Life Support Water Bottles’.
Reza smiled. This was perfect; everything he needed was in here. Big guns, ammo, med packs, MREs and water.
Reza threw away his LMG and ammo away. He carefully selected three HMGs and two Shotguns. This made for an excellent combination – HMGs to deal with long-range threats, and Shotguns to deal quick damage to anything that gets too close. Reza ignored the GLs. He knew personally how effective and powerful these guns were, however, they made way too much noise and posed too much danger to themselves in this enclosed space.
Reza took out ten packs of MREs, ten bottles of water and three med packs. He also removed six HMG clips and eight Shotgun bullet boxes. Reza faced a problem however – He now had everything he wanted, but the items combined were far too heavy to be carried. Reza thought for awhile before he smashed an empty shelve apart and extracted a flat metal piece. Ready to leave at last, he placed everything onto the metal plate and binded them together into a bundle using a strong cable he found. Reza glanced at his watch, he had already spent eleven minutes here, he must hurry back as soon as possible. He didn’t know how long Burt and Sophie would last.
Reza kicked open the door, and pulled the cable. The metal plate, with the items on top and cable attached, looked almost like a sledge. He dragged the items behind him and trudged back the same way as he had came from.
As Reza made the short journey back, he suddenly realised just how lonely he was. The noisy clanks of his boots on the floor was annoyingly loud, and could attract attention. He stopped suddenly, and listened for a full ten seconds. There were the random and constant drips of water from the pipes, and a low unexplained hum from the glass on the side. Strange now that Reza thought of it, he never noticed the sound before, perhaps he just wasn't paying attention. Other than these however, all else was dead quiet. The silence was eerie. Reza appreciated the fact that he had not encountered any Skulks yet, however, he simply couldn't take away the uneasiness that was in his heart.
With that thought however, Reza remembered once more that he had no time to waste and continued on.
It was at this moment that he heard it – Loud fearsome growls and heavy footsteps.
Reza froze and listened. Something big was approaching. From the footsteps, he knew it was way too heavy to be any Skulk or any human. Few people other than frontline Frontiersmen would hear this sound, for it was the dreaded footsteps of an approaching Fade - A powerful Kharaa warrior.
It was close, very close.
Reza had seen Fades before, though personally, he had never managed to kill one. He never managed to shoot one down before it escapes. It was different from fighting an Onos. Fades were much tougher and stronger than Skulks or Lerks, though not as much as an Onos. They were the shocktroopers, warriors, and assassins of the Kharaa. However, they have the terrifying tendacy to do hit-and-run attacks. This is aided by an ability which TSA scientists call ‘blink’. This was because Fades could, in the blink of an eye, disappear and escape. Or they could simply take form behind a marine suddenly and slice his head off.
Reza remembered what a ‘blink’ looked like. He had his squad were shooting at a Fade, and somehow, it simply blurred through them and disappeared. Reza learnt later on that it was due to the Fade moving at an incredibly fast speed; so fast that the human eye can’t catch up with it. Even till now however, this ability to suddenly gain an un-natural boost in speed suddenly still baffles the Frontiersmen. Nonetheless, that was when he had LMGs only, now it was different, he had with him plenty of powerful guns. No matter how fast this Fade can move, he was confident that he could take it down.
There was a loud and ear-piercing predatory roar. The Fade knew he was there. Reza snatched a Shotgun from his bundle and tensed up. Should the Fade suddenly blink to him and engage in close-range combat, the Shotgun was handy for such a situation. Reza took a deep breath and hugged a wall with his back; this was to eliminate any chances of the Fade sneaking up behind him.
Reza’s eyes darted about wildly as he made an effort to spot the deadly creature before it spotted him.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw the Fade approach from a sharp corner. It was less than ten metres away. Sensing hostility, the Fade snarled and turned to face Reza.
It gave another powerful roar, but this time it was clear – The Fade was giving a roar of challenge to Reza.
he should give the fade a revolver,and him himself 1,and they should have a classic duel.I guess it's still a duel,gun vs. sword,shotgun vs. claw/blade/sythe <!--emo&::fade::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/fade.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='fade.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>4d) The Two Warriors</span>
Reza stared at the powerful Fade before him. The Fade was a biped Kharaa, upright like a human but far bigger and stronger than any man. He knew this foe was beyond any of the Skulks he had faced earlier on. It was more than two metres tall, a solid wall of muscle and strength weighting at least two hundred kilograms. Its ugly lizard-like face was lined with spikes, and saliva dripped from its toothy jaws. Each hand ended in a huge scythe-like claw, curved and dangerous. Its clawed feet tapped the metal floor excitedly. Under the dim light, its muscles clearly bulged out, and ugly veins and bacterium growth lined its dull grey body. The last noticeable thing about the Fade was a strange hideous-looking growth on its right shoulder, which looked like an enormous overgrown vein that stuck out a foot long.
“Come on!” Reza shouted at the Fade, despite knowing it couldn’t understand English.
He searched his memory desperately for any tactics to defeat a Fade in combat. He knew that single swipe of its terrible claws could decapitate even an armored marine. Reza remembered from past conflicts how three of his teammates were sliced apart by a single Fade. Unfortunately, all he could remember were two simple rules : Kill it before it comes close, and always engage cautiously in groups with a variety of guns.
The Fade opened its maw wide and let loose a ear-piercing roar. It was ready to fight, and so was Reza. The two warriors glared at each other motionlessly for a full five seconds. Both were trying to discover each others weakness. There was absolutely no other life there, none to witness the extraordinary battle that was about to occur.
Now! Reza thought when he saw the Fade raising its arms first. Without allowing it a chance to even initiate its attack, Reza fired once with his Shotgun. Sparks flew as pellets ricocheted off the wall, but several more tore into the Fades body. Green blood oozed out from holes on the Fades shoulder and torso, but it did not even seem to notice the attack and simply snarled at Reza again.
Reza reloaded and took aim – The Fade suddenly became a blur and came at him so fast it seemingly grew in size. Before Reza could react, it was already before him; and slashed at his head with its claw.
He ducked the attack, and the claw missed his head by an inch. However, Reza could not retreat backwards, the wall was right behind him. Abruptly, he realised it was a foolish mistake to hug the wall with his back; It severely limited his routes of escape and prevented him from stepping backwards.
Reza breathed heavily as he stared wide eyed in fear at the Fade face-to-face. He had never seen a Fade so unclose before. It was so close; he could smell its pungent breath and body odour. Its eyes looked cruel and savaged with a merciless intent to kill him.
The Fade swung its claws downwards, and Reza strafed to the right. It missed him again; he pointed his Shotgun at the its head and pulled the trigger.
The Fade suddenly hurled itself forward and rammed him with its powerful body. Reza lost his momentum and fell back, his grip on his Shotgun was gone and it fired in another direction.
No! Reza reeled forward to prevent himself from falling. He looked up again to see the white of its claw. He twisted his head to the side abruptly to avoid the attack, and a sharp pain shot up his face. Instantly, a wet warmth seeped down his face. Reza was pinned once again with the wall behind him, and the Fade advanced towards him excitedly.
Reza knew that he only had one decision – Fight or die.
He suddenly pushed off the wall to launch himself at the Fade as it lashed out with both arms. The claws passed his head completely; the Fade had not expected him to charge forward.
With every muscle in his body, Reza’s hand clenched into a fist and he slammed an uppercut into the Fade’s chin. Its head didn't even jerk from the impact, and it simply hissed loudly before rearing back and prepared to slash at Reza again.
His knuckle was numb from the attack; it might even be broken, but Reza had no time to care about it. He braced himself for the incoming attack and reached for his pistol as the Fade swung its arms down –
All of a sudden, the Fade froze. The claws were mere inches from Reza’s face but something had made the Fade stop attacking. It jumped backwards and stood up high. The Fade raised its head, made a weird croaking sound and looked around curiously.
Reza stared at it with surprise. Why had it stopped attacking? Reza was certain he couldn’t have defended against the Fade for long without his Shotgun. Something must have distracted its attention, but what was it? Another marine?
Reza glanced around quickly, but he found no other marines, and his attention returned to the Fade. His hand was at his pistol, but he did not pull it out and shoot the Fade; he dared not. Reza feared any sudden movements he made now would attract the Fade and cause it to resume their fight.
The Fade glared at him angrily and roared again. Instead of attacking however, it simply turned another direction and blurred away. Within a second, it had gone around the corner and went completely out of view. It was as if the Fade never appeared at all.
For some unknown reason, it had just spared Reza’s life.
Reza couldn’t believe what just happened. Did the Fade feel some mercy for him at the last moment? Was the Fade a rebellion Kharaa that helped humans or was it something else? No, Reza thought. He had never heard of a Fade that helped human, and if it were on his side, it wouldn’t have attacked him.
Reza felt his face with his hand, and the pain suddenly returned. He looked at his palm and saw a neat red line of blood. The claw must had gazed his face and cut him slightly. Reza knew that the damage done could have been much worst, he was lucky – His entire head might have been sliced off. His knuckle was pale white, and still as numb as before. Reza tried to wriggle his fingers, and stretched his hand for a while, but he found his fingers trembling uncontrollably and their movements strangely sluggish.
There was something calling out to the Fade, something which attracted the Fade’s attention. Reza could feel it, that the Fade was reluctant to simply let him go, and he had a bad feeling about it.
After picking up his Shotgun and reloading, Reza dragged the supplies and guns behind him and dashed back with a newfound vigor. Whatever it was that pulled the Fade away, he was definitely going to find out the reason.
"The fade had blinked around the corner before reza straightened up enough to walk.He went to gather his shotgun when a loud and deep roar sounded behind him.He stopped dead in his tracks still looking down."Oh no..." He turned on his heel to reveal a sinister horn pokeing out from behind the corner."...an onos" He thought"
Comments
Good story mate!
“What's that?” Jack whispered as he stroked his LMG.
Mike and Sophie stared at Jack as if they were staring at a geek, then they looked at each other with the what-is-wrong-with-him expression.
“What?” Jack asked uneasily.
“Don’t you know? Obviously it’s a Lerk! Haven’t you ever encountered one before?!” Mike whispered, stunned.
“No.” Jack looked away, as if he was hiding something.
“Jack, I will have a serious talk with you after this is over.” Mike exclaimed sternly.
In response to Mike’s reply, Jack looked down at the floor silently, as if in deep thoughts.
“Follow me, you two.” Mike whispered as he sneaked away from the girl’s toilet stealthily.
“Why do we need to run away from Lerks?” Jack questioned.
“For heaven's sake! You wouldn't want to face a Lerk head on.” Sophie uttered softly as she rubbed her injured hand.
Mike bent low, and crept to the nearest door silently. Sophie and Jack mimicked his actions as they followed behind him.
The metal door was labeled Virgo Office C; Mike tried pulling the handle only to meet some resistance. It was locked.
“Kick it open.” Jack whispered.
“Nah.” Mike shook his head. “Can’t risk making too much noise.”
Mike turned the other way and sneaked to another metal door labeled Taurus Welfare. He tried pulling the handle, but it too, was locked! Mike couldn’t believe his luck; there was still 1 last door he had not tried, and he prayed that it would not be locked.
“Faster!” Mike urged softly. “We linger here any longer and they may catch our scent!”
Jack and Sophie nodded their heads, and they headed towards the last door.
Sophie stopped suddenly and spun around. She could hear sounds from the Taurus Welfare room. Whatever it was, the three of them listened intently.
There was a scream of agony. They hurrily backed away from the door and almost immediately, it burst open. A marine stumbled out screaming and collapsed to the floor. One look at him told everyone something was very wrong with him.
“God…” Jack mumbled in horror.
Jack’s first impression was that he was looking at a zombie, but he soon realized he wasn’t. The marine’s face was mutilated beyond recognition. His hair was falling, his skin was peeling off, worst of all, his face was melting away rapidly. His entire body was smoking and fizzing like concentrated acid on reactive plastic. Even his nano armor had been corroded too much to serve as any form of protection. Sparks emitted from his ruined armor constantly.
He moaned in agony and seemed to utter “help” before coughing violently. The 3 stared at the doomed marine in fear and shock, Mike knew only one thing could have caused this to him : Spore from a Lerk.
The marine was being eaten away by an enemy he couldn’t retaliate against. The corrosive spore acted like power acid, melting away organic matter such as human flesh and even ate away nano armor.
It was also at this moment that a greenish partially transparent vapor floated out. Jack knew instinctively this was what they called ‘spore’. The spore cloud rapidly engulfed the dying marine and he let out a final scream before the deadly gas completely covered him. There was an abrupt silence and they knew he was dead.
Without any warning, there was a ‘pomfff’ noise and the spore cloud suddenly grew bigger and burst out towards them. The attack was so quick and unexpected that if Mike had not pulled Jack away, the cloud would have got him as well.
At this point, a loud high-pitched cackling cry could be hear amidst the thick cloud of spore. Several similar high-pitched cackles could be heard echoing through the girl’s toilet and the entire room.
Sophie and Mike both knew this was the hunting cry of Lerks, which they used to communicate with one another when prey has been found. In this case, the 3 of them were the prey. They had been found by the Lerks, there was no chance of sneaking away now.
“LETS GO!!! NOW NOW NOW!!!” Mike cried as he grabbed Sophie’s and Jack’s hand as they charged to the last door.
Mike kicked the door and it flew open.
“Run for it!” Mike shouted and the three scrambled forward as fast as they could.
They sped past multiple rooms, ramming open doors in their way and simply kept running, never stopping for even a second. The flapping sounds and the same cackling cries of the Lerks could be heard right behind them. They heard the banging of their shoes on the metal floor, they didn’t care how much noise they made, but they simply needed to escape from the Lerks.
The three ran on and ran on, past rooms, alongside pipes and through doors. They couldn’t stop still, the Lerks were right behind, their noisy and excited cackles were getting louder and louder.
Finally, they stopped only when they hit a dead end. There were no other doors in the room, besides the one they came in from.
Mike glanced around. Surely there had to be a way out! Lerks fought well in enclosed spaces like this, if they released anymore of their spore clouds, it would be nearly impossible to escape it. Mike wasn’t confident of shooting down the Lerks before they fired their gas.
Jack and Sophie held their LMG nervously and aimed at the door. A small glass box with a button and warning sign caught Mike’s attention.
Mike glanced at the sign - ‘Fire Door’.
Perfect. He punched the glass box with his gun and hit the button.
‘Beep Beep Beep’ alarm signals echoed through the room and an enormous red blast door began sliding down slowly from the ceiling which would neatly divided the room into two. A glaring red light flashed at their faces.
Good thinking Mike, Sophie thought. The Lerks continued to make their high-pitched cries. Sophie knew their tactic. They were trying to confuse the 3 of them into thinking there were a lot more Kharaa than there really was. Once the 3 of them are confused, frightened and thrown into chaos, the Lerks would emerge and start to attack.
“MIKE!” Jack cried. “How do we get out now?!”
“Oh. I already had that figured out. Look.” Mike said calmly and pointed down.
At the bottom of the wall, there was an open vent.
The Lerks cackled again, this time a lot louder and faster than before. They were ready to attack.
“Let’s go!” Sophie urged them.
“Get your arse in there!” Mike instructed Jack.
“But…” Jack stammered. “What if there are more Kharaa in there?”
“Fine. I will go first.” Mike replied.
He crouched, switched on his flashlight and peeped into the dark vent for a brief moment before crawling in.
“It’s safe! Come on!” Mike shouted.
Sophie crawled in after Mike, and Jack got down on fours as well. Before he got in however, he couldn’t help but look behind.
The blast door was still sliding down slowly, it was only 1 metre from the ground…0.8 metre, 0.6 metre, 0.5 metre, 0.4 metre, 0.3 metre………
A shriek alerted everyone and Jack saw a Lerk for the first time as it approached from the door. It reminded him of an ugly giant bat with the head of an ugly vulture, forming an ugly combination that was four feet long. The wings of the Lerk were thin membranes filled with blood vessels, it's head was of a similar shape to the Skulk, but it featured an extra spiked sack on each side of its face. It's tiny clawed feet were tucked inwards and hardly noticable. It's jaw, like the Skulks; was also filled with sharp teeth lined with thick murky saliva. Jack quickly decided immediately this was the ugliest Kharaa lifeform he had seen yet.
Sensing that its preys were escaping, the Lerk flapped its wings and glided into the air. It then blurred as it swooped down swiftly in a 45-degree angle with lighting speed. The blast door was only 0.2 metre from the ground when the Lerk swooped under it – and got trapped. It was too big to get through and as the door continued proceeding downwards.
The Lerk struggled wildly and let out a high-pitched scream. The scream ended aruptly as it was crushed under the blast door with a disgusting ‘squash’ sound.
The blast door closed down completely at last with a loud wham, and greenish-yellowish blood along with the membrane of a wing was sticking out.
“Good riddance!” Jack remarked before he sighed in relief and crawled into the vent as well.
He never liked bats anyway.
How long until they see a <!--emo&::gorge::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/pudgy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='pudgy.gif' /><!--endemo--> or a <!--emo&::fade::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/fade.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='fade.gif' /><!--endemo-->
just one "error" as i think:
of what use would fuel canisters be on a spaceship like the bh?
i mean this thing is crossing the know universe (if i got that right) ... it surely wont do that with plain fuel.
cant image a use onboard either ... if you take the background then nearly everything is done by using nanites.
maybe just make some hydrogen tanks out of it ;-)
another thing what i thing of being nice in a story like this:
what about crossing strands? maybe the "team" meets a guy lying near a destroyed vent with a polished lmg in his hand? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
eagerly awaiting the next part <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
JACK IS SO NEWB!
The network of vents was long and confusing, with multiple openings branching off to other vents. Mike continued to crawl forward. Every ten seconds or so, he would stop and scanned the narrow space ahead with his flashlight before turning it off and crawling on. The flashlight had an extremely long working life, and could stay just as bright for years. However, its major flaw was that the chemical catalyst via-nano-fed battery would run out very quickly. Everyone had to off their flashlights and let it recharge before turning it back on. Fortunately, the recharge rate was much faster than its run-out rate.
Mike could hear the grunts and wheezes of Sophie and Jack right behind him as well as the clicks of their flashlights being repeatedly turned on and off.
“Mike!” Jack shouted. “How long more?”
“I don’t know!” Mike yelled back and he kept crawling on.
“Jesus! Jack, we have been here for like what? Five minutes?” Sophie rebuked Jack.
Jack kept quiet and stopped. He saw openings to other vents on either side and flashed his flashlight into the darkness. He could see nothing, the other vents were too long and dark for his light to reach the end. There was no telling however, how long they would have to keep moving on ahead in this path. Jack hated to stay in this position, he couldn’t turn and fire, if a Skulk should suddenly appear behind him.
“Mike! You sure this is the right way?” Jack asked again.
Mike stopped again and considered Jack’s question. The truth was – He didn’t know. In times like this, he had to trust his instincts. What if one of the other vents led to a safer path? What if this current vent leads into a dead end? Questions like Jack’s could not be answered. Yet his instincts still told him that he should go on straight ahead.
“Well Mike?” Jack probed. “Where are we going anyway?!”
“Jack, if you would but shut up for a while please, I will answer your question. Listen. We are going somewhere safe where we can properly rest. Hopefully there will be food, water and supplies. Then, we can plan and decide what to do about BH.” Sophie answered.
“Alright, I will take your word for it.” Jack replied.
No one said anything else and they simply crawled on ahead in the cold darkness for several minutes. Many times there were soft and unrecognizable echoes from the furthest parts of the vents, and the 3 of them had their guns ready.
Mike stopped once again and pointed his flashlight ahead. This time however, a faint light reflected back. Mike tensed up. What was it? He focused on the object ahead for a long time, then he understood what he was looking at.
“Now guys! Straight ahead!” Mike said loudly and crawled forward excitedly.
The metal grating of a vent opening glinted under his flashlight. Mike turned off his flashlight, and could see rays of light streaming in from the gaps on the metal grating. They had reached the end of the vent. He peeped through the gaps to search the room ahead. There were signs of neither allies nor the Kharaa. The room was vacant.
Mike pushed off the metal grating which hit the floor with a loud clank. He peered around. They had arrived at a large globe-shaped room with an enormous translucent orb in the middle. There was a huge antique looking table at one end, and dozens of chairs littered the other end. It was like some sort of a briefing room.
Looking about a final time, Mike crawled through the vent opening, followed by Sophie, then Jack.
“It’s clear. No hostiles or anything.” Mike announced.
“Good.” Sophie said.
“Let's rest here” Jack groaned as he crouched down onto the cold floor.
“Jack, tell me the truth! Are you really a Corporal?” Mike crouched down beside Jack.
“Yes, of course I am! After all, only Corporal and above are allowed to participate in the retrieval of BH. Didn’t Commander Reza said that already?” Jack replied.
“I don’t believe you,” Mike said firmly. “Your behavior…your actions…your words, they are just not right.”
Jack glared at Mike in the eye. “So JUST what is wrong with that? You have a problem with the way I act or something?”
“Jack! Stop that already!” Sophie cut in.
“You are straining our friendship, Mike!” Jack warned.
“Many months ago when we were both Privates and I saved your life from Skulks, you acted stupidly. Just now when we were attacked once again, you acted the same way as before. Not only that, you threw a H-Grenade without giving us any signals. Worst still, you didn’t look before you throw, it started a chain explosion of the fuel canisters which endangered our lives.” Mike said.
“I knew it was my mistake on the H-Grenade part. I am sorry already!” Jack retorted.
“You did not know what was a Lerk,” Mike continued, looking hard at Jack. “You did not behaved appropriately when the Lerks attacked us!”
Jack got up immediately and moved away but Mike grabbed his shoulder.
“Tell me! Were you selected for this mission? Are you even a Corporal? Look at my eyes! Tell me the secret code assigned to all the Corporal or above for this mission!” Mike questioned loudly.
Jack’s heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed his breath. He opened his mouth to say something, but found nothing to answer Mike with.
I…I…forgot.” He answered quietly and looked down.
“There never was a secret code!” Sophie cut in.
“So…you are not a Corporal then, then what’s your rank? Look at me!” Mike dominated over the trembling Jack as he repeatedly probed Jack for an answer.
“Fine, I will tell you the truth then. I…I…am a……Private” Jack shot out his answer and looked away guiltily.
“Jack…why? Why do you do it? Why trick us? Why go on such a difficult mission when you do not yet have the experience?” Sophie shook her head; she almost couldn’t believe the words coming out of Jack’s mouth. “You could had let us know.”
Jack faced both Mike and Sophie, an expression of guilt, pain and sadness on his face.
“Mike.” Jack said. “We were both Privates then, we both braved dangers together, we both took the tests, we both were buddies, but……you out-shined me, you were a much better marine than I was. You were stronger, smarter, and tougher. Pretty soon, we took the promotion tests. You passed with flying colours. I failed…miserably. I lied to you, I told you I passed and was assigned to another squad. I couldn’t bear to tell you, or face you and said that I had failed. I…I…I didn't wanted to lag behind while everyone I knew went on……I also…wanted very much to board BH but I wasn’t allowed to……So I bought a false Corporal pass and badge from the black market. I went on the EX-200, no one noticed there was an extra marine on the team, no one could tell I was the odd one out, that I was a Private. I was glad then, that no one had discovered my true identity. But, more than anything. I was glad that you were on the same spaceship and could help me. It was a mistake, I now realized that…I never was meant for a mission like this.”
Mike and Sophie said nothing. They understood Jack's secret now.
“I…I…I…am so sorry, Mike. I am so sorry I lied to you. I really didn’t want to trick the two of you. Please, forgive me!” Jack cried.
Jack remembered what he didn't want to remember. The truth about why Dorie had left him. It was his fault, just that he didn't want to be reminded of it. He didn't want to be reminded that Dorie had been disappointed in him failing his promotion tests repeatedly. All his promises to her turned into empty promises. Their resultant arguement was what caused the breakup. Dorie never once cheated him, she never thought of making him join the TSA so she could be with Rob. He had simply been so angry that he thought the lie up, and went on thinking about it everyday until he finally believed in his distorted truth.
“Jack. All I needed to hear was the truth.” Mike said calmly. “Nothing else.”
Sophie smiled gently. “I am glad you told us Jack. I for one, is willing to forgive you.”
Their conversion was interrupted when the door on the side slid open, and without a second of hesitation, both Sophie and Mike had their LMGs raised. However, it was not a Kharaa which appeared. It was none else but the great Commander Reza and another marine who walked through. Jack, Sophie and Mike stared at them, dumbfounded with shock and admiration.
“People, am I interrupting?” Reza asked with a sly grin.
About Reza's arrival, i think it was supposed to be a grand moment but somehow, it did not feel so grand to me. I think you shoudl describe more for that part.
A) Going to ream jack a new one
or
B) Give jack a promotion by the time this is all over because jack will SOMEHOW stop being so newb
BTW- newb = good, n00b = bad
But I 've done quite some editing for the first few parts, and chapter 1a. Purpose to add more correct information, as well as make my story more relevent to the original NS game.
My hope for this story is that 1 day, Flayra will allow it to be published.
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>4a) The Briefing</span>
For a brief moment, Jack, Sophie and Mike were utterly stunned as they stared at Reza and the marine. God had dealed them a good card at last.
“Commander Reza!” they cried gladly together.
They dropped their LMGs and did a crisp salute to Reza, the one man capable of leading them to victory, to defeat the Kharra, to escape out of this cursed place. Reza and the other marine lowered their guns and returned them a salute as well.
“I have come back to you guys now, for I am not so easily killed in battle.” Reza announced with a proud smile.
“Sorry, Sir! We mistook you for a Kharaa just now…” Mike apologised.
“At ease people! Things like this happen in battle. At least you did not try to shoot us.” Reza said.
At his words, the three of them lowered their heads sadly. They were reminded of Tex, and how he almost shot several of them.
“I overheard the conversation just now, it was kind of…touching actually, you know? Private Jack.” Reza glanced at Jack’s false Corporal badge “I suppose that Jack is your real name?”
Jack nodded his head, feeling ashamed.
“To tell the truth, I knew about it before this, about you and your little act.” Reza continued.
“Sir? But how…” Jack stammered.
Reza pointed at himself with his thumb. “Do you take me for a fool, Private? I had personally handpicked every single marine here, except you.”
“Sir, you knew? So why did you – ” Mike asked.
“Let Jack onboard? Even though I said anyone lower than rank of Corporal would be throw out? Let’s just say that missions like these could always use an extra marine. And especially right now, an additional man who can use guns is especially important. Jack could use the experience too.” Reza explained.
Jack bowed to Reza. “Thank you for that, Sir! But then when we get back…”
“Do not worry, although what you did is certainly punishable in the code of the Frontiersmen, I will not report this matter to my higher-ups.” Reza said.
Jack sighed in relief at his reassuring words.
“If we ever get out of BH alive that is” Reza added.
The marine next to Reza stood forward, “I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Burt, nice to meet everyone.”
Burt was a short and stout guy. He seemed tough, and ugly veins were visible on his neck. Burt's eyes were narrow and emotionless, and his face seemed to be carved out of stone. He frowned, making him look colder still. Like Reza, Burt had a few smaller scars on his forehead and cheek, and there was also a recently-aqquired bruise on his face. This man gave Jack and Sophie the creeps.
Mike tensed at the mention of the name. He had heard the last transmission between The Behemoth and Earth. The name Burt rang a bell, could he be –
“Excuse me Burt. But could you be the Burt whom I heard from the last transmission between BH and Earth?” Mike asked.
Sophie and Jack stared at Burt. Now that Mike mentioned it, Burt did sounded like he was from the last transmission.
Burt nodded his head sadly. “My best friend Struk was on BH. I suddenly lost contact with him, and I knew it had to have something to do with the Kharaa. I know the chances of me finding him is extremely slim, but…I will never…Never forgive the bastard Kharaa for killing my friend!”
“I guess that makes two of us.” Sophie added.
“People, this is no time for such formalities. As every of you can see on this map – ” Reza begun, laying a map showing the layout of Behemoth on the table. “We are right now, on the second level, Topogeography Room. What we need to do, is to get onto Sub-Control Room on third level, which won’t be easy. We will go there by this way.” Reza scratched a line which zigzagged through the map, showing the path that they will be going by.
Everyone bent forward to examine the details of the map more carefully.
“We will pass by a Resource Nozzle, and go front all the way till we reach the lift. We move up, go all the way to Sub-Control Room. Currently, we do not have our helmets with us, and lack the Heads Up Display and Mini Map. Until then, we must all stay as one. I do not know if there are anymore survivors other than us, I hope there is.” Reza instructed.
The four marines nodded their heads.
“Mike and Sophie, report?” Reza asked.
“Yes, Sir! From the time since EX-200 exploded to now, we have lost three marines. The first was an unidentified marine who couldn’t enter BH, and was lost into space. The second was Jeff, who was eaten by a huge unidentified Kharaa species. Though I cannot be sure, the huge Kharaa species which ate him was beyond anything I had seen. I estimate it to be at least four metres high. It looked and behaved exactly like an Onos, and didn’t seem to get hurt by our bullets.” Mike said.
Sophie and Jack nodded their heads in approval. They remembered personally how powerful Onii was, and how it almost killed them along with Jeff.
Reza’s eyes widened, “If what you say is true, then we wouldn’t know what else could be lurking on BH. Be careful marines, try your best not to attract any attention or the Kharaa may be alerted of our presense.”
“The third marine whom we lost was Tex. Somehow...he went insane and tried to shoot us. We left him behind, but...” Sophie paused. “He was killed by Skulks.”
“I see...it wasn't totally your fault.” Reza said sadly. “What about you fellas? Any injuries?”
“Yes, Sir! But it is not critical, I received a pretty bad cut on my right hand, while Mike’s shoulder was almost crushed by a Skulk. I don’t think Jack has any serious injuries.” Sophie answered.
“We got to get the two of you patched-up first. Also, right now what we need are some big guns. Our current weaponry could work against Skulks and Lerks, but I can’t be sure when an Onos or Fade comes along. For now, this is the plan : We still head in the path I had said, but we would stop for any possible healing stations or salvage any guns and ammo along the way. Do you get me?” Reza instructed.
“We get you, Sir!” everyone said loudly.
“Not so loud! We do not want every Kharaa on BH to come hunting us down.” Reza replied.
At his words, Jack raised a hand to his mouth apologetically.
“Sir, do you know which part of space are we currently at?” Sophie questioned.
“Good question. If you see from this globe which represents the overall part of space which BH is at.” Reza began as he stabbed at the orb with his finger.
“But then, which is which?” Jack asked, confused.
“You can see from the white dot at the right that it represents the moon. The red dot far away is Mars. The green dot at the direct center is BH and the blue dot facing BH is Earth. This means one thing marines.” Reza exclaimed as he glanced at his watch. “It has only been several hours since EX-200 was destroyed. BH has passed by the moon for a couple of hours as well. That means there if BH continues on at its present velocity, there is only at a day or less before BH lands on Earth, if that’s where BH is heading.”
Everyone glanced the orb, which displayed information exactly as Reza had described.
“A huge spaceship full of Kharaa is going to land on Earth?! The Kharaa are planning a direct invasion?! But as far as my memory goes, the Kharaa have never done something so large-scaled before!” Sophie cried, aghast.
“Precisely, and that’s what worries me the most. Until then, lets set off. We have spent enough time here. Also, do not give me the We-Get-You-Crap. I have heard that for years and I am bloody tired of hearing it again. Let's go, fellow Frontiersmen of the TSA!” Reza held his LMG up high and his marines followed after him.
Never before, had the five marines ever said the pledge of the Frontiersmen with so much pride and honor. The war was going to begin in three hours and they had to prevent it no matter what – Even at the costs of their lives.
“Standing On The Edge Of The Unknown, Between Humanity And Whatever Would Threaten It. From The Ashes Of Defeat, Hope Shall Rise. We Are None But The Frontiersmen.”
one thing though. i dont really like the part when jack told reza about the onii. it seems a bit forced into the whole passage. That means that is dosent seem to belogn there.
“I am glad you three managed to make it so far.” Reza exclaimed as he and Jack, Burt, Mike and Sophie walked together in a neat row.
Jack could catch glimpses of stars and vast darkness of space from the many huge glass windows on the wall. He knew The Behemoth was moving at a fast speed, but the positions of the objects in space never seemed to change. The lights on the ceiling were dim and dull, as if they themselves were signs of a uncertain future. Jack couldn't concentrate on the words that the others were sprouting, he was too engaged in his own thoughts.
He darkly remembered the marine they failed to save, and that he could still be out there floating helplessly in space, suffering a slow, cold and painful death. Jack told himself he would not let another marine die, not Mike, Sophie, Burt or Commander Reza. He would not let anyone of them die.
“Yes, it’s all thanks to the training you gave us from before, Sir.” Mike replied, smiling.
“Now...now, didn’t I told you earlier I didn’t like the ‘Sir’ crap?” Reza turned to face Mike, narrowing his eyebrows.
“Yes, Reza.” Mike said hurrily.
“Good. I am glad that you and Sophie heeded my training advises.” Reza added.
“Reza...” Jack stammered nervously.
“Yes, Jack?” Reza asked.
“Could you...erm, give me the same training as you gave Mike and Sophie? I mean, after we are all out of this mess and so on?” Jack asked.
At his words, Reza smiled gently. “No problem Jack. I give you my word.”
Burt frowned. Everyone was too light-hearted right now. They seemed to have forgotten the very danger they were in. The fact that The Behemoth was heading to attack Earth, and that countless Kharaa still roamed this spaceship with them. They were simply too noisy, talking too much, and they were not alert enough.
Burt glanced behind constantly to watch out for any backstabbing Kharaa. Please, he prayed. Please let us get to our destination without any trouble.
“Sir – I mean, Reza, I am curious. How did you and Burt manage to make it?” Sophie asked.
Reza replied, “The same way all of you did, we – ”
From directly straight ahead, a loud shriek was heard and caught everyone’s attention. It was definitely not from a human. The marines recognized it well – The shriek of a hungry Kharaa.
“Heads up people. Skulks.” Reza warned as he raised his LMG and aimed straight.
Mike and Burt took up shooting positions beside Reza, a trusty formation they had been taught from training. Meanwhile, Sophie spun round and aimed behind while Jack mimicked her actions.
“Come…little baby…” Reza murmured under his breath in a soft and dangerous voice.
Another shriek sounded, this time directly above them. Reza’s heart skipped a beat as he realized with horror that they were directly below a vent. They were mostly likely caught with Skulks on both sides and the top. The little bastards had them in a deadly trap.
There was a flurry of loud taps and clicks around them, and the grave thought went into everyone’s mind : Cloaked Skulks. Without a moment to lose, Reza charged to the side and rammed the nearest door open with his body.
As everyone poured into the room, Jack see that it was a standard bunk with several beds, tables and chairs, lockers – dried human blood and dozens of bullet holes on the walls. A battle had taken place here previously.
“WATCH OUT!!!” Sophie screamed suddenly.
Without the slightest sound, a Skulk dropped out from an open vent on the ceiling. There was another loud snarl as a second Skulk approached through the door. A third Skulk followed after it.
The bunk abruptly turned alive with bright flashes from gunfire and the coughing gunshots of their LMGs. The three Skulks leapt around gracefully, easily dodging the deadly bullets and snapping their deadly jaws in mockery at the marines' attempts to hit them.
As Burt was reloading a new clip into his LMG, a Skulk suddenly rammed headfirst into his belly and he dropped to the ground, gasping for breath as if he had been punched in the gut. Instinctively, the Skulk bounded backwards onto the ceiling as a hailstorm of bullets showered the area where it had been standing a moment ago. It leapt at the source of its attacker : Reza.
He sprawled to the floor as it whizzed past his head, and turned and fired into its underside. The Skulk shrieked in pain and crashed onto a bed, it never got up again.
Jack and Mike dispatched another Skulk that was unfortunate enough to be sandwitched in their middle. Reza turned to see Sophie jump back against a wall to dodge the last Skulk. Immediately, he grabbed the nearest chair and hurled it into the Skulk’s path. Before it could leap away, the chair struck it and it smashed onto the floor heavily. Everyone aimed at the Skulk and fired as it was getting up. It jerked as rounds after rounds of bullets tore into its body, holding it erect for a second before it exploded and its tattered remains simply fell.
The battle had been concluded. No more Skulks appeared, and Reza sighed in relief.
Greenish-yellowish blood covered the entire room. One Skulk laid dead on a bed that had been stained bright yellow from the blood. A second Skulk stayed motionless on the floor while the other Skulk had been blown into several pieces with its body on the floor but other parts spilled about. Pillows, blankets and feathers were scattered everywhere while a clawed leg was below a chair and pieces of meat on another bed.
Burt slanted against a wall as several small crumpled pieces of ruined nano plate dropped off his badly damaged nano armor.
“Those bastards...they are getting smarter than ever.” Reza said with a sober tone.
“Burt, you all right?” Sophie asked, concerned for him.
“Yeah, I think I am – ” Burt suddenly coughed violently before he vomited blood and collapsed to the floor.
“BURT!” Everyone screamed as he clutched his stomach in agony.
“Someone help him, please, also, I feel…kinda…dizzy…” Sophie moaned as she clamped on to a metal bar with her trembling hand.
She staggered for a while and fainted onto Jack’s waiting arms. The gash on her right hand had opened up again, and blood was dripping out slowly onto the floor.
“Get them onto the beds!” Reza ordered.
Sophie and Burt were both lifted to two clean beds and their injuries were examined. Reza sickly realized just how serious the situation was. The Skulk had leapt directly at Burt’s stomach and not only had it damaged part of his armor, it had also shattered several of his ribs. Meanwhile, Sophie was suffering from a loss of blood, the wound on her right hand which was earlier ripped slightly by a Skulk was bandaged, however, the wound soon opened up again. Her skin was pale white, and she sweated profusely as she mumbled indistinguishable words.
“No! No…please! Wake up! Wake up you two!” Jack cried as he tugged at Sophie and Burt.
“Jack!” Reza roared. “Let them rest!”
“But…” Jack protested. “They are not gonna die? Are they?”
“No. They will not die. I will not allow it.” Mike said firmly.
Reza nodded his head, “For now, I believe they will last on. I personally know Burt; he won’t die so easily. And I believe Sophie wants to save Earth too. They will not allow themselves to die now!”
“But Reza. We need to get ourselves resupplied. We have ran out of rations, food, water, and we are fast running out of ammo as well.” Mike declared.
No one said anything. Words of encouragement or consolation were useless now. A dark cloud had entered everyone's hearts, a grim thought that all was lost now. The disgusting smell of the Skulks remains were barely noticable to the three marines who still stood. No one bothered to guard the door or seal the vent. There simply seemed to be no way for them to heal Sophie and Burt, their future seemed doomed.
Twenty-five marines who set out on this impossible mission – Five remained now, two of whom are disabled and dying. Yet, the two marines, Sophie and Burt still fought in unwaving battle against the God of Death. Their eyes were shut tightly, and their bodies stayed motionless, but they were very much alive inside.
Reza stroked his chin for awhile as he considered the best move to make in this disadvantageous situation. The last thing he would have done was to leave his two marines behind. As their leader, he had to weigh the risks, the odds and the chances of him succeeding and bringing them sufficient resupply safely. He had to place their well beings above his own life at all times, as well as place the retrieval of data and stopping The Behemoth as a top priority.
“Mike, Jack, the two of you have to stay here to take care of them two, meanwhile, I will go to the Supplies Room alone. I know the way as I have memorized the map.” Reza instructed Mike and Jack.
“Reza, will you really be okay alone?” Mike asked in concern.
“Mike, trust me now, just as you have always had. I willl leave my map with you now. If I do not return in half an hour, go on without me. I will catch up later.” Reza said.
“But Commander, we – ” Jack argued.
“DO NOT argue with me, Private Jack, for I was not assigned as your Commander for nothing. I know what I am doing. What you need to do is to take care of them, make sure no Kharaas come and attack. That's a direct order! Get it?” Reza sternly lectured Jack.
“Yes, Sir! Good luck!” Jack and Mike both said, much to the annoyance of Reza. There was no need for them to be so formal in a life-or-death-situation like this.
Following suit, Reza took with him a spare clip of LMG bullets and a spare clip of Pistol bullets.
He checked his equipment and armor status a final time and left.
I have a feeling,if they come across weapons,jack's gonna take either the shotgun,or the GL <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Striding forward at a constant pace, Reza moved through the path with little trouble. No Kharaas had approached him yet, nothing to hinder him, no locked doors. Everything was going smoothly according to plan.
His photographic memory helped him tremendously as he found himself facing many T-junctions and cross-junctions. If he had not memorized the map so well, Reza knew he wouldn’t have stood a chance here.
Already he had been walking for a full five minutes. He noticed that the higher parts of the walls had more Bacterium, and warmer areas seemed to really suit the vile growth. Entire clumps of them grew disgustingly thick around pipes that strangely leaked water. Reza wondered how long the water had been leaking – The water dripped slowly onto a small pad of spongy Bacterium, which never seemed to absorb enough liquid.
Reza wondered if perhaps, this was what planets of the Kharaa looked like – Bacterium growing lush on high areas and warm places, and soaking up water in the rain. He knew that Kharaa planets had never actually been found before. The Kharaa were only found on planets in the Ariadne Arm that supported or once had human life, they never occupied a planet where humans had not colonized.
At last, the Supplies Room was in view. Fortunately again, the door was not locked, and as Reza entered, a nauseous smell filled his nose.
Dust and dead bugs, Reza thought in disgust as he stared at the floor. The only light in the room came from the open door. He hit a switch and the lights turned on.
At least two dozen guns glinted under the light. Reza grinned. Rows after rows of weapons much more advanced than the LMGs and Pistols lined the shelves. Reza saw Heavy Machine Guns, Shotguns and Grenade Launchers. Another shelve held an excess of the ammunition of the guns. There were HMG clips, boxes of shotgun bullets, and stacks of GL grenades.
HMGs are similar to the LMG he had, except that they are bigger, heavier, and pack a much stronger punch. Each can fire up to a hundred and twenty-five bullets before running empty, more than enough to rip through Skulks and any other Kharaa. The only disadvantage is the bulky clip which proves too large to be reloaded quickly. Also, a HMG has tremendous recoil. Even the strongest marines has trouble maintaining steady aim when firing for long. Nonetheless, the HMGs were too attractive to be ignored.
Shotguns are also another powerful and useful weapon. They fire ten pellets that spread out with each shot. This greatly compensates for lousy aiming. Also, up close, the shotgun is more devastating than any other weapon. A good shot can butcher several Skulks at once, and even bigger Kharaa life forms would fall quickly under sustained fire. The shotgun however, must be reloaded with each shot, and can only hold up to eight bullets.
Reza closed the door behind him and moved forward. He ran his hand along the shelves of HMGs and Shotguns; they were in superior condition. Reza thought sadly that it was a pity the marines before did not live to use any of these guns. If they did, they would probably have managed to put up a hell of a fight against the Kharaa.
There were another three huge refrigerators at the wall. Reza read the signs on them. One was ‘Emergency Nano Medical Packs’. The other was ‘Military-Ready-To-Eat Biscuits’. The third was ‘Life Support Water Bottles’.
Reza smiled. This was perfect; everything he needed was in here. Big guns, ammo, med packs, MREs and water.
Reza threw away his LMG and ammo away. He carefully selected three HMGs and two Shotguns. This made for an excellent combination – HMGs to deal with long-range threats, and Shotguns to deal quick damage to anything that gets too close. Reza ignored the GLs. He knew personally how effective and powerful these guns were, however, they made way too much noise and posed too much danger to themselves in this enclosed space.
Reza took out ten packs of MREs, ten bottles of water and three med packs. He also removed six HMG clips and eight Shotgun bullet boxes. Reza faced a problem however – He now had everything he wanted, but the items combined were far too heavy to be carried. Reza thought for awhile before he smashed an empty shelve apart and extracted a flat metal piece. Ready to leave at last, he placed everything onto the metal plate and binded them together into a bundle using a strong cable he found. Reza glanced at his watch, he had already spent eleven minutes here, he must hurry back as soon as possible. He didn’t know how long Burt and Sophie would last.
Reza kicked open the door, and pulled the cable. The metal plate, with the items on top and cable attached, looked almost like a sledge. He dragged the items behind him and trudged back the same way as he had came from.
As Reza made the short journey back, he suddenly realised just how lonely he was. The noisy clanks of his boots on the floor was annoyingly loud, and could attract attention. He stopped suddenly, and listened for a full ten seconds. There were the random and constant drips of water from the pipes, and a low unexplained hum from the glass on the side. Strange now that Reza thought of it, he never noticed the sound before, perhaps he just wasn't paying attention. Other than these however, all else was dead quiet. The silence was eerie. Reza appreciated the fact that he had not encountered any Skulks yet, however, he simply couldn't take away the uneasiness that was in his heart.
With that thought however, Reza remembered once more that he had no time to waste and continued on.
It was at this moment that he heard it – Loud fearsome growls and heavy footsteps.
Reza froze and listened. Something big was approaching. From the footsteps, he knew it was way too heavy to be any Skulk or any human. Few people other than frontline Frontiersmen would hear this sound, for it was the dreaded footsteps of an approaching Fade - A powerful Kharaa warrior.
It was close, very close.
Reza had seen Fades before, though personally, he had never managed to kill one. He never managed to shoot one down before it escapes. It was different from fighting an Onos. Fades were much tougher and stronger than Skulks or Lerks, though not as much as an Onos. They were the shocktroopers, warriors, and assassins of the Kharaa. However, they have the terrifying tendacy to do hit-and-run attacks. This is aided by an ability which TSA scientists call ‘blink’. This was because Fades could, in the blink of an eye, disappear and escape. Or they could simply take form behind a marine suddenly and slice his head off.
Reza remembered what a ‘blink’ looked like. He had his squad were shooting at a Fade, and somehow, it simply blurred through them and disappeared. Reza learnt later on that it was due to the Fade moving at an incredibly fast speed; so fast that the human eye can’t catch up with it. Even till now however, this ability to suddenly gain an un-natural boost in speed suddenly still baffles the Frontiersmen. Nonetheless, that was when he had LMGs only, now it was different, he had with him plenty of powerful guns. No matter how fast this Fade can move, he was confident that he could take it down.
There was a loud and ear-piercing predatory roar. The Fade knew he was there. Reza snatched a Shotgun from his bundle and tensed up. Should the Fade suddenly blink to him and engage in close-range combat, the Shotgun was handy for such a situation. Reza took a deep breath and hugged a wall with his back; this was to eliminate any chances of the Fade sneaking up behind him.
Reza’s eyes darted about wildly as he made an effort to spot the deadly creature before it spotted him.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw the Fade approach from a sharp corner. It was less than ten metres away. Sensing hostility, the Fade snarled and turned to face Reza.
It gave another powerful roar, but this time it was clear – The Fade was giving a roar of challenge to Reza.
Nice ingenious way reza carried all the weapons.
correct me if im wronf but dosent a shotgun fire fourteen pellets instead of ten? not too sure on thsi one.
Reza stared at the powerful Fade before him. The Fade was a biped Kharaa, upright like a human but far bigger and stronger than any man. He knew this foe was beyond any of the Skulks he had faced earlier on. It was more than two metres tall, a solid wall of muscle and strength weighting at least two hundred kilograms. Its ugly lizard-like face was lined with spikes, and saliva dripped from its toothy jaws. Each hand ended in a huge scythe-like claw, curved and dangerous. Its clawed feet tapped the metal floor excitedly. Under the dim light, its muscles clearly bulged out, and ugly veins and bacterium growth lined its dull grey body. The last noticeable thing about the Fade was a strange hideous-looking growth on its right shoulder, which looked like an enormous overgrown vein that stuck out a foot long.
“Come on!” Reza shouted at the Fade, despite knowing it couldn’t understand English.
He searched his memory desperately for any tactics to defeat a Fade in combat. He knew that single swipe of its terrible claws could decapitate even an armored marine. Reza remembered from past conflicts how three of his teammates were sliced apart by a single Fade. Unfortunately, all he could remember were two simple rules : Kill it before it comes close, and always engage cautiously in groups with a variety of guns.
The Fade opened its maw wide and let loose a ear-piercing roar. It was ready to fight, and so was Reza. The two warriors glared at each other motionlessly for a full five seconds. Both were trying to discover each others weakness. There was absolutely no other life there, none to witness the extraordinary battle that was about to occur.
Now! Reza thought when he saw the Fade raising its arms first. Without allowing it a chance to even initiate its attack, Reza fired once with his Shotgun. Sparks flew as pellets ricocheted off the wall, but several more tore into the Fades body. Green blood oozed out from holes on the Fades shoulder and torso, but it did not even seem to notice the attack and simply snarled at Reza again.
Reza reloaded and took aim – The Fade suddenly became a blur and came at him so fast it seemingly grew in size. Before Reza could react, it was already before him; and slashed at his head with its claw.
He ducked the attack, and the claw missed his head by an inch. However, Reza could not retreat backwards, the wall was right behind him. Abruptly, he realised it was a foolish mistake to hug the wall with his back; It severely limited his routes of escape and prevented him from stepping backwards.
Reza breathed heavily as he stared wide eyed in fear at the Fade face-to-face. He had never seen a Fade so unclose before. It was so close; he could smell its pungent breath and body odour. Its eyes looked cruel and savaged with a merciless intent to kill him.
The Fade swung its claws downwards, and Reza strafed to the right. It missed him again; he pointed his Shotgun at the its head and pulled the trigger.
The Fade suddenly hurled itself forward and rammed him with its powerful body. Reza lost his momentum and fell back, his grip on his Shotgun was gone and it fired in another direction.
No! Reza reeled forward to prevent himself from falling. He looked up again to see the white of its claw. He twisted his head to the side abruptly to avoid the attack, and a sharp pain shot up his face. Instantly, a wet warmth seeped down his face. Reza was pinned once again with the wall behind him, and the Fade advanced towards him excitedly.
Reza knew that he only had one decision – Fight or die.
He suddenly pushed off the wall to launch himself at the Fade as it lashed out with both arms. The claws passed his head completely; the Fade had not expected him to charge forward.
With every muscle in his body, Reza’s hand clenched into a fist and he slammed an uppercut into the Fade’s chin. Its head didn't even jerk from the impact, and it simply hissed loudly before rearing back and prepared to slash at Reza again.
His knuckle was numb from the attack; it might even be broken, but Reza had no time to care about it. He braced himself for the incoming attack and reached for his pistol as the Fade swung its arms down –
All of a sudden, the Fade froze. The claws were mere inches from Reza’s face but something had made the Fade stop attacking. It jumped backwards and stood up high. The Fade raised its head, made a weird croaking sound and looked around curiously.
Reza stared at it with surprise. Why had it stopped attacking? Reza was certain he couldn’t have defended against the Fade for long without his Shotgun. Something must have distracted its attention, but what was it? Another marine?
Reza glanced around quickly, but he found no other marines, and his attention returned to the Fade. His hand was at his pistol, but he did not pull it out and shoot the Fade; he dared not. Reza feared any sudden movements he made now would attract the Fade and cause it to resume their fight.
The Fade glared at him angrily and roared again. Instead of attacking however, it simply turned another direction and blurred away. Within a second, it had gone around the corner and went completely out of view. It was as if the Fade never appeared at all.
For some unknown reason, it had just spared Reza’s life.
Reza couldn’t believe what just happened. Did the Fade feel some mercy for him at the last moment? Was the Fade a rebellion Kharaa that helped humans or was it something else? No, Reza thought. He had never heard of a Fade that helped human, and if it were on his side, it wouldn’t have attacked him.
Reza felt his face with his hand, and the pain suddenly returned. He looked at his palm and saw a neat red line of blood. The claw must had gazed his face and cut him slightly. Reza knew that the damage done could have been much worst, he was lucky – His entire head might have been sliced off. His knuckle was pale white, and still as numb as before. Reza tried to wriggle his fingers, and stretched his hand for a while, but he found his fingers trembling uncontrollably and their movements strangely sluggish.
There was something calling out to the Fade, something which attracted the Fade’s attention. Reza could feel it, that the Fade was reluctant to simply let him go, and he had a bad feeling about it.
After picking up his Shotgun and reloading, Reza dragged the supplies and guns behind him and dashed back with a newfound vigor. Whatever it was that pulled the Fade away, he was definitely going to find out the reason.
REBEL <!--emo&::fade::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/fade.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='fade.gif' /><!--endemo--> !!!
"The fade had blinked around the corner before reza straightened up enough to walk.He went to gather his shotgun when a loud and deep roar sounded behind him.He stopped dead in his tracks still looking down."Oh no..." He turned on his heel to reveal a sinister horn pokeing out from behind the corner."...an onos" He thought"