ERS: The Homelands

[Prologue]1

In the year 2552 there is a group of mercenaries who call themselves the ERS Spartans. The founder of the group wasn't just one person, it was a group of four Spartans. Their names are Striker, Cancer, Sarge, and Merc Reaper. They hijacked a Battlecruiser with just the four of them. They flew the ship into the far reaches of space coming to an inhabited planet which then they called Kraxtor. Upon arriving they built a vast base that spread out over half the planet. It took them a full year before it was finished. When it was done, Striker came up with the idea to become their own faction and started the group up. They recruited many members and eventually become 200 hundred Spartans strong. They expanded their territory to cover the whole planet and put outpost bases. Then they got a contract to be a part of the UNSC military and one thousand marines with gear and equipment to protect the planet. What they didn't know was that they would be tested and their home world would be in the sights of destruction from the prophets. Can the ERS Spartans pull together and stop the destruction of their planet or will the Spartans fall to the clutches of the brutes.2

[Chapter 1]3

Merc was sitting in the armory getting his armor repainted and fixed after the last training mission that went horribly wrong. The marine who was re painting his decal took extra care to refinish it. The decal was a picture of a jolly roger.4

"Sir, your decal is finished. You can go now." The marine told him steeping off a ladder.5

"Nice work private, you should make this your line of work." Merc replied to him.6

"Thank you sir, come back any time."7

Merc left the armory and suddenly got a com call. He opened the com and spoke "Commander Reaper."8

"Reaper this is striker I need you to get to the navigation center right away we have a situation that I need your input on." Striker's voice sounded distraught and worried.9

"I’m on my way Admiral." Merc said sharply10

Merc then ran quickly through the halls passing by Naqser who was twirling his two SMG's in his hands. He saluted to Merc as he ran by and raised an eyebrow under his helmet wondering what was so pressing. A part of him hopped it was action. But then another hoped no one got hurt. When Merc arrived in the navigation center Striker was busy giving orders to marines in blue suits. Merc looked around at the computer screens and saw they were all looking at one file. Merc walked up to Striker and saluted, "Sir Commander Reaper reporting as ordered."11

Striker looked to him and Merc could see his armor was wearing out. Many of the battle scars on the armor from helping Master Chief stop the firing of the rings were still there. Merc noticed the scar from where the plasma sword struck him in the arm, almost cutting it off. "Son, we have a problem. We lost com with one of our outposts and this is what we got just before it went out." Striker turns to one of the men at the computer. "Play the file."12

The man pushed a button on the computer and a marine’s voice came on the speakers. "Calling all ERS Personnel we are under attack, I Repeat we are under attack. This is Outpost Beta Foxtrot 23, A....*static* Slipstream... *static*.... Over there, open fire! *static* ARGGHGHGH *static*"13

Merc was shocked. What happened to these men and who would be attacking their planet? Merc guessed it was the brutes since the elites where working with the UNSC to find Master Chief. "Sir what are we going to do? We have no clue what’s here on our planet."14

Striker smiled "Ah, my old friend that's where you’re wrong. We picked up a slipstream signal just 20 minutes ago. The brutes have a mother ship and it landed over that outpost. I need you to get two teams together and assault that mother ship. It must be taken out before it glasses the planet and we are reduced back to square one. That mother ship must be destroyed at all costs. If it is able to send a com transmission to home more mother ships will arrive and this planet will be lost. We are currently jamming their transmission but as soon as they destroy the satellite at the outpost they will get it out."15

Merc nodded "yes sir you can count on me" Merc saluted to Striker16

"Good I knew I could. Now I will be going with another team into the mother ship. Your first priority is to secure the satellite on the outpost and then leave a team there to defend it. Then you will take the other team and assist me in taking over the mother ship. It shouldn’t be that difficult we've done it with just four of us. Now go gear up and get the teams ready. We leave in 10 minutes."17

Merc nodded and turned tail leaving the navigation center heading to the barracks. 18

Cancer was in the armory getting his rocket launcher fixed when Merc stepped inside. Cancer tapped Naqser who was sitting next to him. "He Merc just walked in think something happened? Or is he just going to be an ass like he always is to us." Cancer whispered to him19

Naqser shook his head "I don't know but 'Officer on deck!'" Naqser stood up and saluted as Merc came around the corner. Cancer stood up with him saluting.20

"At ease, we have a situation and I need you two to get two teams ready. I will lead one and Cancer you will get your wish and lead the second. Naqser get our team ready and Cancer have your team prepped and ready to go in twenty minutes I’ll see you all in the hangar bay Dismisses." Merc told them and turned tail leaving them alone heading for the officer barracks.21

"Sweet my own team to command, alright lets move Naqser." Cancer said aloud and opened his locker. Inside were dual pistols and his newly fixed rocket launcher. He put the rockets on his back and the pistols on his left and right leg. Naqser sat down and opened his locker as Cancer left to the barracks to get the teams ready. Inside his locker were dual SMG’s and a BR55. He put the BR on his back and put the dual SMG's on his left and right legs. He stood up and left the armory heading for the barracks.22

Cancer finally made it to the barracks and when he entered he saw Riffle, Sarge, Onyx and PF lying around getting some R and R after the battles with MC back at earth. They deserved it as they where the driving force that stopped the brutes from stopping MC's operations and even helped him on some missions. Cancer woke them up and told them. "Guys, get your gear we are on another mission this time for our home world. Everyone be in the hanger in ten minutes your squad will be assigned to you there. Move it!" Cancer left them as they ran to the armory to grab their gear and headed for the hanger bay.23

[Meanwhile]24

Merc was arriving in the officer barracks when he saw striker grabbing a sniper. "Sir" Merc said to him and nodded as he went to him and opened the locker next to him. Inside was a M5AB Assault rifle.25

"Why do you still have that old thing it’s just a piece of junk now." Striker said to him as he noticed the weapon in the locker.26

"It reminds me of all the memories associated with it. I used that to assassinate a lot of my targets." Merc replied. He pushed past the assault rifle and picked up his BR55 and put it on his back. Then he grabbed his shotgun and loaded a few shells into it. Striker then grabbed a Spartan laser and put it on his back. He held his sniper in his hands and waited for Merc to finish. When he was done they both left for the hangar bay ready to do complete the mission.27

When they arrived at the hangar bay the whole team was there and they all saluted them both. Merc nodded and fell in line with the rest of them saluting Striker. Striker nodded and spoke "At ease men, ok here is the situation, there is a brute mother ship docked over Outpost Beta Foxtrot 23. This is a huge problem because if they get out a com transmission then the planet will fall to them. We are going to stop this. Two teams will assault the outpost and secure the satellite that is jamming their com systems. PF and I will assault the mother ship secretly in case the assault team on the outpost fails. Merc will lead one team on the outpost and Cancer will lead the other. Cancer your team is Sarge and Onyx, Merc your team is Naqser and Riffle. Cancer you are promoted to Commander so you can lead your team. Now good luck to everyone and I expect you all to make it out, MOVE OUT!" Striker finished his speech and loaded up in the first pelican with PF equipped with his Shotgun and Sniper. As soon as they got on the pelican blasted out of the hanger.28

Cancers team was next with Sarge equipped with a BR55 and M5AC along with Onyx with his Sword on his leg and a plasma rifle in his hands. They blasted out of the Hanger bay leaving Merc’s team left. The pelican landed in front of them and Riffle was the first on with his, BR55 and Magnum. Naqser was the next to board and Merc was the last to board the pelican. As soon as he sat down the pelican blasted out of the hanger heading to the drop zone.29

[30 minutes later]30

"This is pelican 152C hot drop location one is successful Shadow team is aboard mother ship." The com spoke in Merc's ear.31

"This is pelican 154A location two is hot we are taking heavy enemy AA gun fire! We’re not going to make it we have to pull out. *Blast* we’re hit! Mayday Pelican 154A is going down *crash* *static*"32

"Striker! Cancers Team didn't make it." Merc said on the com.33

"Damn get down to the crash site and link up with his team. Assault the base after you get the injured out." Strike replied.34

"Sir Pelican 243X is over the crash site general." the pilot on com said to Merc.35

"Ok drop us off here." Merc replied.36

Cancer awoke from the crash site and pushed off a large piece of hull that covered him. "Stupid AA guns." Cancer said aloud to no one.37

"Is everyone ok?" Cancer yelled.38

"NO! Sarge is down get in here quick! We need a medic!" Onyx replied in a worried voice.39

Cancer got up and went to the bay of the crashed pelican. When he got there it wasn't pretty, Sarge lay on the floor with a pole sticking up out of his chest. Blood was dripping off it and a pool of blood began to come out under his body. "Oh my god." Was all that came out of Cancers mouth. He was in shock and the blood made him queasy. Onyx removed Sarge's helmet and Sarge coughed up blood.40

"Go... Get out... I'm not going to make it....." Sarge told Onyx.41

Cancer and Onyx didn't even notice Merc’s team landed behind him and Cancer just stood there as Merc pushed him aside to see what was going on.42

"Damn." Merc muttered. He knelt to Sarge and closed the eyes of the now dead Sarge. Merc stood up and walked to Cancer, "solider are you able to command your team? Cancer do you hear me?" Merc smacked his helmet and Cancer just looked at him in shock. His first time leading and Sarge wound up dead.43

Merc shook his head and turned to Onyx. "Stay here with Cancer... I’m going to go finish the job we started. Move out team." Merc spoke. 44

[Chapter 2]45

Merc Left the pelican leaving Cancer to dwell in his thoughts. Merc felt bad for Cancer but he was a danger to the mission now. If he hesitated just for a second it could get everyone killed. "Naqser take point, lets get to the Base before a search party gets here."46

Naqser nodded and looked ahead stopping. "Get down search party, damn they're fast."47

Merc dashed back inside the pelican and threw Cancer who was still standing there in shock to the back of the pelican knocking him on his butt.48

"Onyx stay low, search party." Merc whispered to him49

Onyx nodded and grabbed his Shotgun crouching against the wall of the pelican. Naqser ran behind the crashed pelican and grabbed out his weapon. Riffle ran to a nearby tree and hid behind it. Merc opened a secure com to the team. "No one make a move till they get inside the pelican. Naqser how many are there?"50

Naqser poked his head out and his jaw dropped under his helmet. "Um... There are two brutes with Brute shots, a brute hero with a grav hammer and Sword, and then the big daddy."51

Merc smiled "When they get into range aim for the hunter first. Then take out the brute hero. Me and Riffle will deal with the regular rank and file brutes. Wait till they get near the pelican."52

Naqser kept his head low waiting to give the signal that they were in range.53

Merc turned to see what Cancer was doing and he was just staring at the dead body of Sarge.54

"Onyx grab his rocket launcher... we're going to need it for the hunter."55

Onyx got up and pushed hunters away from the wall grabbed his rocket launcher off his back and re leaned him against the wall. Onyx then crouched in the pelican with rocket shouldered waiting for the hunter to come into view.56

Naqser broke com and spoke "They should be coming into view now,"57

Merc looked and saw the hunter was leading the pack with the hero close behind him. The two rank and file brutes protected their flanks.58

"Take them down," Merc said over the com.59

Onyx stepped out and aimed a rocket at the hunter’s chest. He fired off a round leaving smoke in the pelican. The rocket hit the hunter in its weak spot exploding the hunter in two. One of the rank and file brutes took some of the blast knocking it backwards unconscious. Naqser jumped on top of the crashed pelican Opening fire on the hero that was knocked to the ground from the blast. Riffle popped out from his tree firing at the remaining brute that was left standing. He placed a well aimed shot to the brutes face killing it instantly. Merc popped out and charged the hero with his shotgun. As he got up to the downed hero he placed a boot on the brutes back knocking him back to the ground and fired a round into its face obliterating it.60

Merc gave the all clear symbol and the Spartans came out from their cover.61

"Ok nice job team, lets get moving. Onyx stay with Cancer I want updates on his situation. Call for evac and take him back to base when you get their get another team set up and get back here as fast as you can." Merc told Onyx.62

Onyx nodded and headed back into the pelican calling for evac. Merc turned his com on to Striker. "Sir! Cancer's team is heading back for reinforcements. Cancer is in a state of shock and can’t lead the team."63

Striker came on the com "Why? What happened?" He said in a demanding voice.64

"Sir. Sarge is dead Cancers team is bringing back the body with them."65

Merc replied.66

"Damn, He was a fine solider. Very well, continue on to the base we can’t make any sudden moves till you assault that base." Striker cut the com off.67

Merc gave the signal to move on and Naqser lead the team. After about 10 minutes they finally had the Outpost in site. The satellite was intact but there were grunts, jackals, and a brute hero standing around it looking for some way to shut it down.68

"Sir, the outpost is overrun. There are barricades in front of the base that we could use as cover for our assault." Naqser said.69

"Ok on my command we run for the barricades. There we will distract them and take back the ba..." Merc tried to say but was interrupted by a com transmission70

"Sir! This is pelican 677A we have picked up team one and are returning home." The com spoke71

Merc ignored the com transmission and turned back to his team. "Lets do this, For Sarge." Merc gave the signal and was the first to run to the barricades but he didn't make it far. As he came within 30 feet of the barricade a grenade exploded near him knocking him to the ground. Naqser made it to the barricade followed by Riffle. They opened fire on the enemy near the satellite taking down the grunts. The Brute hero dived for cover and the jackals turned on their shields and hid behind them.72

Merc just lay on the ground unconscious, till he finally was dragged to cover by Riffle.73

"Sir are you okay?" Riffle asked him.74

"Yeah I’m good, just took a bit of shock from whatever hit me. I was lucky." Merc replied slowly.75

Riffle fired a couple more shot's at the jackals before ducking behind the barricade.76

"Sir this is bad," Riffle told Merc77

"Why?" Merc replied78

"They shut down the satellite." Riffle said plainly. 79

[Chapter 3]80

Merc’s mind raced trying to figure out if that transmission got out the whole word would fall to them.81

Merc opened a com to Striker. "Sir! We have a problem, the satellite is down we didn’t make it in time. What are you orders sir."82

Striker came on the com, "We are almost to the com room get you and your squad up here then, screw the outpost."83

Merc turned to his team and spoke in the com "yes sir!" Merc spoke to his team "Get up the lift on the mother ship I’m heading inside the outpost to search for anyone that survived."84

Riffle nodded and Naqser followed suit. They both ran behind the outpost to where the lift was at and ran into it. They both where lifted up into the hanger bay of the mother ship and Merc got up. Merc then went to the door of the entrance of the outpost.85

[Meanwhile inside the Mother Ship]86

Striker and PF moved down the halls of the mother ship dodging patrols headed their way. Once they made it to the com center Merc came on the com telling him that the satellite was down. Striker told him to get on the ship and that they were already at the com center. Striker waved to PF who then opened the door. As the door came open Strikers jaw dropped under his helmet. In the door way stood a brute chieftain with gravity hammer on his back and a Sword in his hands. It was not active but that could change in a split second. PF reacted first and kicked the sword out of his hands and put the shotgun he was holding under the brutes chin pulling the trigger. The head exploded into a million bloody pieces and blood squirted on PF and Striker. Inside the com center were three brutes sitting at the com station. They heard the gun shot from the shot gun and stood up. Striker was the next to act and Sniped all three without hesitation. Each bullet penetrated the brute’s helmet drilling its brain. Each one fell dead lifeless without emotion.87

Striker ran into the com center and sat at one of the com stations. PF followed and closed the doors as he knew they would be after them now. They probably would send a hunter party at them for good measure which means they had Five minutes before death. PF looked over Strikers shoulder and asked "Did we stop the message or are we too late."88

There was silence except for Striker taping on the symbols then he bowed his head. "They got it out, the planet is lost. I’m going to send a message to home base and UNSC Space Division. They may send us help to evac the planet." PF nodded and then a loud bang was heard, PF looked to the door and saw a huge dent in it. "Hunter party is here, better hurry." PF walked to the door and it dented inward with another loud bang.89

[Meanwhile back at base]90

Onyx boarded the evac drop ship and pulled in the dead Sarge. Cancer followed suit able to pull himself in the pelican. The pelican blasted off to home base. After ten minutes they arrived at base and Onyx pulled out Sarge. Two Spartans saluted and one spoke in a deep voice "Sir! Corporals Ghost and Max reporting for duty."91

"Good get on the pelican we move out in twenty seconds." Onyx said. He turned to a Marine "Get this body prepped for burial when we get back."92

The marine nodded and left the hangar. Onyx entered the pelican and turned to Cancer. "Sir it’s time for you to get off."93

Cancer looked at Onyx and something snapped him back into reality. "No its time for me to get on board. Pelican lets go take us to Merc’s location on the double."94

[Meanwhile back at the outpost]95

Merc kicked in the front door to the outpost and turned his head away. In the hall way was three marines gutted, dismembered, and half eaten. The wall and floors where covered in blood. Merc carefully walked down the hall way trying not to look at the marines and slip on the blood at the same time. Merc saw a sign for the armory and headed in that direction. As he came to the Armory door he heard yells of a Female in the armory and brute grunts and laughs. Merc kicked in the door to the armory and was shocked to see a Female Spartan hunkered down behind a window with her leg broken blind firing at a brute chieftain with a plasma turret. The female’s armor was all black with the decal of crosshairs sighting a grunts head.96

Merc rushed next to the female Spartan and nodded to her. She nodded back and Merc popped his head out to see the brute. The brute laughed and fired a burst of plasma at them. Merc ducked and primed a plasma nade, when the brute stopped Merc got up and stuck the brute on the face. It screamed and howled then exploded into pieces.97

"Thanks General reaper, Chief Veggie at your service, except my leg is all messed up." Veggie told Merc.98

Merc smiled "We meet again Keri, Been a long time."99

Veggie smiled "How come you never came with Chris and visited me?" Veggie asked.100

"No time for that now we need to get out of here, Striker is going to be mad at me when he finds out I’m not with my squad and disobeyed his direct order. Grab my BR55 and cover us while I carry you out of here."101

Veggie nodded and grabbed his BR55 off Merc’s back. Merc then threw Veggies good leg over his head and let the bad one dangle. Veggie braced herself with a hand on Merc shoulder and holding the BR with the other. Merc then carried Veggie out of the outpost and opened up a com to Onyx's pelican.102

"How long till you get here Onyx?" Merc asked.103

"I’m not in charge sir." Onyx replied.104

"Then who is?" Merc asked.105

"Me that’s who, and we are almost there." Cancer replied.106

Merc smiled and replied "Glad to see you snapped out of it, Keri is with me she’s got a broken leg come pick us up. We are ordered to assault the mother ship with striker."107

"Roger that, ETA twenty seconds." Cancer replied. 108

[Chapter 4]109

Cancer's pelican set down next to Merc and Veggie. Merc carried veggie to the pelican and lifted her aboard. Onyx, Cancer, Max, and Ghost all jumped off the pelican ready to go. Cancer and Merc said their goodbyes to Veggie and the pelican lifted off back to base.110

Cancer turned to Merc and told him "Sir, I'm sorry about what happened to me back at the pelican."111

Merc smiled "Don't worry about it old friend right now we need to get up to that brute mother ship. We have to stop the message from getting out since we didn’t get here in time to save the satellite." Merc switched on his com and spoke. "Striker, This is General reaper Cancer's team is refitted and I’m with them. Cancer is also back in the fight and we are heading up to you now."112

Striker came on the com "Merc Get your ass up here NOW! We are pinned down in the Com center with a hunter banging on the door we could use some help quick!"113

Another voice came on the com that wasn’t Merc's "Don’t worry sir we see the hunter. He is alone and we have a clear shot. Riffle take him out *gun fire* He’s down. But I don’t think the door is opening anytime soon it’s to damaged now."114

"Damn, Can you cut it Naqser?" Striker replied.115

"I’m not sure but I can try with the hunter’s suped up fuel rod gun."116

"Do it. PF get away from the door."117

"Merc get up here on the double we need to take this thing out before the whole fleet gets here. Maybe then we can use this ship to sneak into their ranks and surprise attack the leading ship, Striker out"118

Merc switched his com off and turned to his team. "Ok lets get on that lift"119

Merc waved and the whole team moved to the lift. Cancer was the first to enter the lift with Riffle close behind. Naqser was the next to go through with Ghost. Max was next with Merc when they both got up the lift and entered the hangar bay Merc was startled. Not a single brute or grunt was in the hangar bay.120

Cancer turned to Merc "This is weird, Hunters usually guard this stuff why is no one here?"121

[Chapter 5]122

Merc waved to the team and they all huddled around him. "Ok it’s time to split up and search the hanger bay. Me and Cancer will head to Striker and see if we can’t get him out of the com center. I want Ghost and Max to head to the command center and see if you can gain control of the ship. Onyx I want you to check the engine room. We may need to disable the ships power core so I want someone down there to be safe. And everyone watch your back. Something fishy is going on... Move out." Everyone nodded and went their respective ways.123

[Meanwhile back at the com center]124

"Naqser how’s the cutting coming along?" Striker asked over the secure com.125

"Not so good sir. The door is too thick. I’m surprised it even came off its hinges."126

"Ok, Keep trying at it Ill see if we can’t do something from in here. Striker out," Striker then moved to the com station and started pressing some keys with a puzzled look.127

PF went to the door and started to look it over thoroughly. "Sir, I think we can get out of here."128

"How?" Striker replied.129

"The door is still attached to the hard-line right here." PF said pointing to it. "If you open the door it will jam and we can then bend it open with ease." 130

"Worth a shot." Striker replied pressing more buttons on the station. 131

[Meanwhile back in the hanger bay]132

Merc waved to cancer and he moved forward across the hallway leading to the com center. Cancer hid behind a box that was conveniently placed on one side of the hallway and opened a silent com with Merc.133

"Hey Merc, Do you remember that day on boot camp that we all met you?"134

Merc expression under his helmet was puzzled. "Yes I do, why are you asking this?" Merc replied intrigued. 135

"Well I can’t stop thinking about it... Ever since you saved Veggie back there... That's all I think about is boot camp and the day we met you...” 136

Merc Smiled under his helmet. "Really? I remember that day like it was only a couple days ago..." 137

Merc’s mind took him on a flashback.138

"Hey Cancer I would like you to meet someone." Veggie told Cancer who was sitting in the mess hall. 139

"Really? Who?" Cancer asked. 140

"Come on Merc, get over here." Veggie yelled to Merc.141

Merc walked out from behind a pillar and went to the table next to Veggie.142

Cancer smiled "My names Cancer, You are?" Cancer asked him holding his hand out. 143

"Merc," Merc replied shaking Cancers hand. 144

"He just got transferred from the base on Earth, I met him when I was there on sick leave. He's a good friend of mine," Veggie interrupted them. 145

Cancer let go of Merc's hand and nodded to Veggie. Just as he was about to ask what earth was like nowadays a grenade landed In Cancers plate it was blue and pulsing. Merc reacted quickly and grabbed it burning his hand from the pulsing plasma. He threw it out the window and it exploded. Plasma fire erupted hitting the base. They were under attack from the elite's. 146

Merc’s mind brought him back to reality and found himself standing in the hall way. "Yeah, that was the day our group bonded Except Veggie got shipped out to the war a few days later... And then I got promoted to Commander..." 147

"Yeah you don't need to remind me..." Cancer interrupted Merc. "It was bad enough Veggie got shipped out when you got promoted It sucked I was all alone."148

"Sorry Man, I didn't want to get promoted but they forced me to they needed someone to lead the assault..."149

"Hey I said lets not talk about it, I’m over it...” Cancer Interrupted once again.150

"Ok, Ok, Sorry I mentioned it..." Merc replied.151

Just then Onyx came on the com screaming "GUYS THIS IS BAD! Mother fucker! Get back! *Gun fire* SIR'S THE FLOOD ARE ON THE SHIP!"152

PF came on the com "What? Here how is this possible?"153

Onyx replied "I found the bodies of the hunters that should have been in the hanger that when I was attacked by the flood. Oh crap *gun fire* *static*"154

Merc looked to Cancer and then to the hallway. At the end of the hallway was a group of flood growling at them...155

PF looked over to the door that was all bent and turned to Striker. "OK Hit it."156

Striker hit the button to open the door and a loud creaking noise was heard. The door was trying to open but couldn't. It opened so only a finger could slip through but that was more than enough for PF. He put his finger in the hole and bent it outwards. He was then able to get his whole hand in the hole and bend the whole door inwards. Riffle popped his head into the hole and laughed. "Well PF you’re a professional can opener!"157

PF just gave Riffle a dirty look under his helmet. "Shut up you two we need to move the flood are here and spreading fast."158

"This is General Reaper, Everyone head down to the engine room to Onyx we are going to blow this place up before the flood spread too quickly."159

Striker came on the com "Good Idea Merc Lets move out everyone stick close to one another and watch your backs because the flood doesn’t mess around."160

[Meanwhile ten minutes earlier in the hallway]161

Merc was the first to react and raised his M5AC Assault Riffle firing shots into the unrelenting flood. Bullets riddled the flood dropping many spores but there where to many to stop. Cancer ripped the rocket launcher off his back and fired a rocket into the crowd of flood destroying the flood in the hall way. Just as the two thought it was over more flood came even more than before. Merc opened a com and told everyone to get to get to the engine room to blow the ship up. Merc then looked to cancer and put a hand on his shoulder as he ran down the hall away from the flood. Cancer then followed firing another rocket blasting more flood. Merc ran down hallways stopping as Cancer ran past him firing shots to slow the flood. Cancer did the same as they came to another hall way. They did this till they came to the door to the engine room and a com call from Ghost.162

[Meanwhile]163

Ghost and Max heard the com call and where close to the engine room. They both got to the engine room before the other's and opened the door. Onyx was in the corner but it wasn't really Onyx anymore. He had been infected by the flood and was a flood spore now. His armor was still intact but the two could see Onyx's body was infected. This was bad it was really hard to penetrate Spartan armor. Onyx looked to ghost and max with an evil look. "Get out of here..." Ghost looked to his uninfected hand and saw a plasma grenade. He still was Onyx but knew what he was turning into. The plasma grenade glowed a bright blue and Max knew what that meant. They both stepped outside of the door and it closed. A few seconds later they head the dreaded explosion. "Get on the com Ghost and tell them what happened. They need to know." Max told Ghost. They both walked into the engine room and saw Onyx body was there in a sprawled heap with the infection part missing. Half his body was missing along with a leg, Blood was pouring out of his body. Ghost got on the com to everyone.164

"Umm guys I have some bad news for you all. Onyx didn't make it, apparently he was infected by the flood and knew he was so he killed himself with a plasma grenade."165

[Meanwhile back at Strikers team]166

Striker was about to open a door that lead to a passage to the engine room when his team heard the com from ghost.167

"Damn... Come on, we need to get there fast before anymore of us gets infected." Striker told his team. The team moved flawlessly down the hallways till they reached the door to the engine room where Merc and Cancer where standing.168

"You guys get the com call?" Naqser asked them.169

Cancer replied "Umm no if we did we couldn't hear it. We were being chased by the flood the whole way here. Why? What happened?"170

Striker hung his head and spoke "Onyx was infected by the flood and killed himself."171

Merc was speechless then he broke the moment pause. "Come on, we need to move fast before anymore of us get infected." Merc Walked into the engine room and saw what had happened to Onyx and also saw Max's team standing over him.172

Merc waved to cancer and lead him to the engine. It looked like a long tube that periodically glowed bright blue. "Set the demo Cancer." Cancer smiled and went up to the tube with glee on his face. "Booya! Explosion time bitches!"173

The rest of the ERS Spartans came in and watched as Cancer strapped the Engine with enough C4 and grenades to blow the empire state building to pieces. After it was done Merc asked "What's the range to blow this thing?"174

Cancer frowned and spoke "Well the person hitting the button can’t be more than 2,000 feet away... Which is basically on the other side of that door over there."175

Riffle piped up "Then whose staying behind?"176

Striker shook his head...177

"I'll stay behind." Merc said "Give me the detonator"178

Cancer gave him the detonator and put a hand on his shoulder. "Good luck buddy I’ll see you outside."179

Striker nodded to Merc, "I'll com call you when we are outside."180

The Spartans left leaving Merc alone to think.181

After a couple minutes Merc got the call from striker. "Blow it... And if you don’t make it...You are a big part of this Group. Good Luck buddy...”182

Merc stood up and held the button in his hand. He then pushed the button and dropped it in an instant. As he dropped it he started running through the hallways. Explosions erupted though out the hallways and Merc had to dodge falling debris. When Merc made it to the hanger bay he saw the lift was flickering then died. It was his only chance to make it outside. Merc Jumped into the whole that was once the lift and fell. As he was falling he was engulfed in flames.183

[Three minutes earlier]184

"You think he's going to make it?" Cancer asked the team.185

"I hope so…" Striker replied.186

A loud and rumbling sound was heard as the C4 was detonated.187

All the Spartans didn't make a sound and watched as the ship was exploding in different sections of the ship.188

Then Ghost saw Merc fall from the lift.189

"Look he made it!" Just then the flames engulfed him.190

"NO!" Striker yelled and started to rush forward but Ghost and Max held him back.191

"Don't do it you will die too. There is nothing you can do. He gave his life for us to live don’t throw your life away.”192

Striker stopped resisting and hung his head.193

After the ship exploded and fell off the cliff side leaving some debris below but most went off the cliff.194

Riffle was the first to move from the hill and went to the debris to search for Merc's body.195

The rest of the Spartans followed suit with spirits low. Onyx and Merc were lost to the ship... or so they thought... 196

[Chapter 6]197

[The Savior]198

Merc awoke with blurry vision, but it returned quickly due to the armor he was wearing. Merc stood a little shakily but sturdy and looked around him. The ship he destroyed was around him in pieces. He had fallen with the ship off the cliff, but that's not all he found. Merc walked through the debris and found Onyx's body lying under some metal. His arm was missing but somehow miraculously he was breathing. How Merc did not know how since he apparently killed himself with a plasma grenade committing suicide. Merc knelt to Onyx and saw that his suit was what was keeping him alive.199

"Onyx its Merc do you think you can stand? We need to get moving to higher ground so we can call for evac." Merc told Onyx200

Onyx looked up slowly and spoke in bursts. "Yeah... I... Think... So..."201

Merc grabbed his only arm and threw it over his shoulder lifting Onyx from the ground. Onyx then braced himself with his feet. Merc walked Onyx through some woods till they reached the hill that would take them back to the outpost. Onyx needed a new arm and Merc had an idea where to get one. "Come on, we are almost to the outpost we can patch you up there."202

[Meanwhile back at home base]203

Two coffins where displayed in the commander center for all who passed to see. Over one of the coffins was Merc’s picture and the other Onyx's. In the middle of them a plaque stood with the words.204

"Here lie the bodies of General Merc Reaper and Captain Onyx. Both men died in the line of duty for this group. They shall be missed dearly and remembered as legends."205

Cancer was standing before the two coffins with two medals in his hand. He placed one medal on each coffin and said a silent prayer for them both. Striker barely took notice of the coffins as he was busy getting damage reports on the outpost and defense upgrades for the outposts. Riffle walked by and laid a quick hand on Cancers shoulder as he headed to the nav center. Striker turned to cancer "Cancer get your butt up here I got another mission for you."206

Cancer nodded to the coffins and went to Striker.207

"Get the team together and grab some warthogs, I need you to place a sensor in the gamma quadrant. The one we have out there now is outdated and hasn't been replaced. Dismissed General."208

Cancer saluted then stopped. "General Sir?"209

"Yes you’re taking Merc's Place. Now move out before I change my mind." Striker replied.210

Cancer nodded and went to get Riffle and Naqser.211

[Meanwhile back at the outpost]212

Merc kicked in the front door of the outpost with Onyx still leaning against him. He led him to the science section of the outpost and laid him on a table.213

"Ok this may hurt a lot but it’s for your benefit." Merc left Onyx on the table for a few minutes and brought back a metal arm.214

"No Sir! I don't want a metal arm." Onyx groggily said.215

"Onyx your arm is missing don't you want your arm back?" Merc replied.216

"I Guess... Do it." Onyx said blankly.217

[Twenty minutes later]218

Onyx sat up with his new arm and moved it around. "Feels like a regular arm...Yet I know is metal...” He wiggled his finger quickly. He also brought up schematics on his new arm up on his HUD and found that he had twice the force and speed then his normal human arm.219

"Better right?" Merc said washing the blood off his gloves in a sink nearby.220

Onyx nodded to Merc "Yeah it’s amazing and twice as good as my human arm."221

Onyx started putting back his Spartan armor over the metal arm concealing it and now it looked no more than a regular Spartan arm and hand.222

[Back in the hangar bay]223

Cancer pressed on the gas pedal and the warthog pushed forward. Max did the same in a four man warthog behind him. They both pulled up to other Spartans and they all saluted Cancer. Cancer nodded and spoke. "Ghost ride with Max and riffle ride with them too. Naqser hop on the turret now move out."224

The men moved and Naqser jumped into the back of the warthog pulling back the lever and arming the turret.225

Cancer stepped on the gas and the warthog lurched forward at top speed. Max hit the gas to keep up with Cancer. Soon after a while of driving through outposts and forests they finally reach another outpost they were going to set up the new sensor. They all got out except Naqser who covered them with the turret. "Riffle set her up." riffle nodded and got on top of the outpost setting up the sensor. "Cover Riffle I’m going inside to see who is here."226

Cancer lazily opened the door to the outpost and stepped inside almost falling over. The ground was slippery and it was dark. Cancer hit his external switch for the flashlight on his helmet and looked to the floor. In shock he ran outside and yelled. "Everyone back to the warthog now!"227

Everyone ran back to the warthog and Cancer hit the gas to top speed heading back to home base in a rage.228

[Back at the Nav center]229

"Sir Cancer’s team has left the outpost without putting the sensor up." One of the marines spoke looking up from his computer.230

Striker quickly looked up to the monitor and saw the tracking beacon of the warthogs heading to base. "Something’s wrong... get a greeting squad up to the hanger bay now. I will meet them there."231

The marine nodded and pressed the com button on his computer. "Greeting team X23 get to hangar bay on the double. Admiral Striker will be there in two minutes."232

Striker turned and ran down the hall heading to the hangar bay. 233

Death was everywhere as far as the eye could see. The ERS Spartans stood their ground firing round after round into the onslaught of brutes. But they still rushed forward through the hills. No matter how many shots the Spartans fired it didn't drop the brute’s numbers down enough to matter. Merc stood on top of a hill with a sniper in his hands firing shots as fast as the gun would allow. Just as he was reloading he looked up and saw a huge blue plasma ball heading in his direction. As soon as it was about to hit him Merc awoke from the dream in a panic.234

"Sir! Are you ok?" Onyx said sitting up.235

Merc looked around and found they were in the barracks of the outpost. Then he remembered they stopped to rest for a couple hours to let Onyx's arm adapt to its new body.236

"Yeah I’m fine just a bad dream." Merc replied. "Come on, lets hit the hangar bay and see if there isn't a vehicle that we can jack." Merc stood up and put his M5AC on his back and held out his BR55 for Onyx to take.237

"I know it’s not much but you still need a weapon." Merc Said.238

"Thanks, and I never really got to thank you for saving my life." Onyx told Merc while taking the BR and loading a clip into it.239

"Don't worry about it I’m sure you would have done the same. Come on, we better move."240

[Meanwhile back in the hangar bay]241

Cancer steered the warthog into the hangar bay with super speed and hit the brakes stopping the warthog suddenly and almost throwing his passengers into the wall. Cancer quickly jumped out and went to striker who was standing with three marines with BRs.242

"Sir! We have a really big problem." Cancer told Striker.243

"What is it? It better be a good reason you didn't do as you were ordered to." Striker replied244

"Well we were setting it up when I went inside and looked around." Cancer explained.245

Riffle after shocked at how fast Cancer stopped the warthog and giving him whiplash jumped out of the warthog and stood next to the other team members. He looked to Cancer who was explaining something and then noticed the expressions on the Marines faces. It was shock and fear but what could have Cancer saw in that outpost to make everyone so fearful?246

"Something’s wrong... Cancer found something in that outpost but what could it be." Riffle said to the team.247

"I’m guessing its more flood." Naqser replied leaning on the back of the warthog.248

"It’s probably nothing. He's probably just making excuses on why we didn't set up the sensor. He just like Merc only does what he wants to do." Ghost replied hopping out of the driver seat of the warthog.249

"Nothing gets Striker and the marines this spooked something must be wrong in the outpost." Max said.250

"Yeah well see, here comes cancer." Riffle quickly muttered to the team.251

Cancer after finishing the debriefing with striker went over to the team.252

"Guys bad news, what I found in the outpost may shock you. Inside that outpost is a flood hive. I saw it with my own eyes. This means it had to have been there for at least a week or so. Which means the flood was here before that ship came." Cancer told them.253

Just as he did the alarm went off in the hangar bay and a woman's voice came on the speaker.254

"Red Alert twenty three slipstream signatures appearing just outside the atmosphere. Signatures are reading brute mother ships. They have launched drop pods and are on their way to the planet. All ERS Spartans to combat stations! This is not a drill!"255

"Damn now we have to deal with brutes and flood." Riffle said.256

"Maybe not. If we could get the brutes when they land at the outpost maybe the flood will take care of them for us. Then we can get off this infested planet." Naqser said.257

"Well for now we need to put our attention on the brutes come on Spartans mount up... lets give those landing pods a warm welcome. Ghost grab a gauss warthog and mount up with the rest of the team." Cancer jumped in the driver seat of his warthog and Max jumped on the gunner seat loading the gun.258

"WHOOO YEAH! LETS ROCK AND ROLL!" The team yelled as both warthogs Speed out of the hangar to greet the new arrivals. 259

[Chapter 7]260

Merc entered the hanger bay and saw that it wasn’t empty. The only problem was that it was destroyed. Many of the warthogs were blown up of taken apart. But luck was on their side, in the far corner sat a mongoose.261

"I'll drive, I want to test out this new arm of mine." Onyx told Merc hoping on the mongoose. Onyx revved up the mongoose and twisted the handle bar back punching the gas and thrusting the ATV forward.262

[Meanwhile]263

Cancer hit the gas and checked his HUD for the location of the drop ships.264

"Get ready ETA three minutes" Cancer said on the com.265

Striker stood in the nav center "Power up the MAC cannons."266

"Sir, it will take time to power them up. It will take a couple hours for them to synchronize." The marine spoke not looking up from his computer.267

"Do it we may need them in the long run." Striker replied.268

"Send the rest of the teams out on offense we need to give the brutes a proper greeting."269

"Yes sir!" The marine replied.270

[Meanwhile]271

Merc and Onyx drove over hills, and through forests. Just as they were about to go over another hill the mongoose exploded and threw both into the ground sprawling and sliding in all directions. Onyx awoke face down on the ground. Rolling over and looking up he saw a drop ship with a jackal hanging on the side of it with a Beam rifle. Onyx grabbed his BR that layed next to him and fired a bust into the Jackal's face killing him. The body fell 100ft down to the ground with a loud crunch.272

Merc layed on the other side of the hill with his assault rifle laying ten feet away. Merc tried to sit up but felt excruciating pain in his leg. Merc looked to his leg and found a pipe from the mongoose stuck in his thigh. As he was about to pull the pipe he noticed two big blips on his radar and they were marked as friendlies.273

Loud shots could be heard and then followed by gauss plasma. Cancers team drove over the hill and passed him. As they passed Cancer hit the brakes and saw Onyx. "It can’t be...."274

"Onyx ran up to cancer and laughed "back from the dead baby!"275

"But you were infected!" cancer replied276

"Yeah but not totally I destroyed it with the grenade and Merc got my a new arm"277

"Merc is alive!?"278

"Yeah he should be around here somewhere."279

"I don’t mean to interrupt the reunion but we have two drop ships on our tail." Max said firing off shots into the drop ship overhead.280

"Right, hop on Onyx just grab on to something." Onyx went to the passenger seat and shared it with Naqser. Ghost and riffles warthog finally drove up with Merc in the passenger seat, leg still bleeding heavily.281

Just then a green rocket whistled through the air and landed next to them.282

"Banshee!" Merc yelled283

Cancer punched the gas and took off. Ghost hit the gas and went in the opposite direction to confuse the banshee284

As ghost came over a hill another green rocket slammed the warthog and flipped it over spewing everyone in the warthog to the ground. As the banshee came in for the kill it exploded in a ball of fire. Merc stood up shakily and saw a platoon of Marines and three tanks. One had a smoking barrel...285

"Sir! Platoon Alpha X2 is reporting for Duty. We were sent here by striker to put an offense on the brutes." the captain of the marines said walking up to Merc.286

"Good lets get started, Build a trench across this valley we shall make our stand here." Merc told the captain.287

"Very well sir. Marines move out we got worked to do!" the captain yelled.288

A few hours later Merc awakes in a tent.289

"Where the hell am I?" Merc said aloud.290

Leaving the tent limping a little Merc saw Spec ops marines running around helping make a trench in between the cliffs. Stopping one of the spec ops marines Merc spoke to him. "What squad are you from?"291

The marine looked puzzled and replied "I’m with Strikers. He’s briefing all the Spartans in that tent over there. You should hurry I think the meeting just started."292

Merc nodded "Thanks." Merc headed to the tent he pointed to and opened the tent covers.293

Striker looked up from his computer and nodded to Merc. The other Spartans standing in front of striker patted his back as he passed by. Everyone was here including veggie.294

"Good everyone is here, we can start." Striker announced. Hitting a button on his laptop a projection of a map on the screen behind him popped up.295

"Ok here is the situation. The brutes have dropped off their main force here. We have built the trench here just a few clicks away from their main base. We will wait from them here and ambush them before they hit our new base. Two warthogs will be posted on top of the two cliffs and provide support fire for the infantry. The infantry will be armed with rockets as we all know the wraith tanks will be the main line. This is our last stand on this planet if we lose this battle all is lost. I know we have had time to waste... maybe too much time. But we are back in this fight and we will prevail. Merc you will lead the infantry in the trench and riffle you will be posted on one of the warthogs. Max and Onyx you will pilot two tanks as we have just been informed the two drivers didn’t make it. The rest of you will join Merc in the trenches. Good luck to us all. Dismissed...” Striker finished his briefing and went back to his lap top. 296

[Chapter 8]297

[Heroes are born, Legends are made]298

All the Spartans stood up and saluted Striker at the same time. Most ran to their assigned posts but Merc and Veggie stayed behind. Veggie walked up to Merc and placed a hand on his shoulder.299

"It's good to have you back.....Sir...” Veggie said.300

"It’s good to see you again Keri...” Merc replied then placed a hand on hers.301

Veggie smiled under her helmet and then left the tent heading to her post. Merc walked up to Striker who looked up at him with a frown under his helmet.302

"Merc...Scott...I don’t think we are going to live through this...The brutes out number us and we also have the flood to deal with....We are spread too thin...we can’t hold out forever...eventually we are going to lose this war...then what? ERS Spartans are finished..." Striker said to Merc.303

Merc smiled under his helmet and then said in a proud voice. "Sir! I am a Spartan and we never back down! ERS is my company just as much as it’s yours and I’m willing to give my life for what I believe in this company. If you choose to abandon us then so be it but you will be betraying not only your friends here but the whole company that you stand to defend. ERS Spartans will defend this planet to our deaths. This is our home and I will defend it with every breath I have."304

Striker looked at him stunned then smiled. "Thank you...I needed that...Get to your post Merc we have a job to do."305

Merc saluted and then headed out of the tent into the gleaming sunny morning. Veggie ran by with a BR in her hands and jumped into the trench barking orders to the front line marines.306

Merc headed to the armory tent and went inside. He went to the locker with his name on it and opened it up. Inside was a BR and some grenades. He grabbed them all and then ran outside to his post in the very middle of the trench. Merc set up and opened up a com to all ERS company. "Ok Spartans and Marines alike we are here to defend this planet at all costs and we shall not falter. Hold your lines and use the trench for cover as much as possible. Use ammo wisely and steady your aim. Only shoot at what you can hit...Hold fire when they come into view until my command. Merc out."307

Merc stood in the trench looking ahead waiting for the brute armada to come...308

A few minutes later screams could be heard from atop the cliff valley from Riffle. "They’re here!"309

Merc opened the com and spoke "Ok everyone battle positions they arrived..."310

Soon the wraith tank line came into view...They came close and then stopped waiting for orders.311

Merc spoke into the com "Rockets open fire on the wraith tanks down the line quick before they launch a volley!"312

The whole ERS trench line erupted in smoke as countless rockets whistled towards the wraith line. Upon impact the whole line erupted in a huge bright blue explosion and then out of the explosion hundreds upon hundreds of Brute rushed the ERS Trench line.313

"Everyone Fire at will!" Merc yelled and opened fire with his BR and downed a charging brute but another filled the hole. The front line dropped immediately as the ERS company opened fire. But that didn’t stop the brutes not even the M4lagg atop the cliff downing many brutes a second. Not a single thing seemed to affect them. They were overrun...314

Merc primed a grenade and tossed it at a group of brutes and killed three or more but he didn’t count. Soon the brutes came to the front line trench and the tanks opened up. Explosions erupted the whole front line of brutes killing many but it wasn’t enough...The brutes made it to the trench and jumped in. They opened fire and killed many marines and ripped open their guts and decapitated many. A brute jumped at Merc with a sword but Merc caught his sword arm I’m mid air and stabbed him with his own sword and then ripped it out of his hand in mid air as he landed on the ground dead.315

Merc looked up with blood on his visor over the battle field and saw they were losing the battle...The Spartans were holding their own but the marines were dying like fly's....PF opened up from atop the cliff with his sniper and downed four more brutes in the trench but the brutes were like a flood...they overran the ERS Spartans and got them into the brute's best weapon..Close combat.... Merc cut down countless with his sword until he came face to face with the brute field commander...316

"You're dead brute!" Merc yelled317

"DIE DEMON!" the brute yelled back and threw a dead marine off his plasma sword. And charged Merc......318

Merc defended himself with his sword as the swords clashed the energy from the swords crackled in heat.319

[Meanwhile...]320

Veggie was blasting brutes with her BR when Cancer came up behind her and jumped in the trench with her.321

"Veggie where's Merc?" Cancer asked while bashing in a brute skull with the butt of his gun and firing a few rounds into a charging one.322

"No idea, last I saw him he was in the middle of the trench." Veggie replied while priming a grenade stuffing it in a brute’s mouth and kicking him away.323

Cancer layed a hand on her shoulder and spoke softly "I’m sure he’s ok..."324

Veggie nodded and fired more rounds into the brutes.325

PF ran down from atop the cliff with Riffle and carried down a turret. He went to the front line and placed it right in the middle above the trench. He opened it up and shoved it into the ground. He then pulled the trigger on the turret blasting away at the brutes.326

Riffle's hand became numb to the constant firing of the M41laag. Riffle continued to fire and then the least thing he expected would happen and it was the worst...The gun ran out of ammo... The turret began to click but no bullets came out.327

"Shit...” Riffle said and jumped out of the back of the warthog and took his BR off his back and then stepped to the edge of the cliff knelt down and started to fire his BR.328

[Meanwhile...]329

Merc pushed off the Brute with his strength trying to stager the brute but nothing would move him. His feet were firmly planted to the ground it was like a bull that wouldn't move. Merc slashed at him but he was just as skilled as Merc and easily blocked his attacks with his sword. The swords clashed over and over burning plasma each time. Merc tried again but the brute dodged his attack and swung back at Merc taking his guard off. Merc rolled away but the brute was on him like glue and Merc didn’t see the sword stabbing at him. But then the brute stopped for some reason and the sword came inches from Merc's chest. The brute looked down and saw a sword stabbed through his stomach. As the body dropped to the floor Merc's jaw dropped as well... Standing there was none other than Snowflake, body covered in blood from the brute.330

"Snow? But how...I watched you die in my arms..." Merc spoke.331

"I know...I just passed out from blood loss. They got me back to base in a bacta tank so I survived." Snow said placing a hand on Merc’s shoulder.332

"Why didn’t any…one…" Merc stopped and grunted mid speech... He looked down to his chest and saw blood. He turned around and saw someone he never expected. Cancer stood there with his sniper smoking.333

Cancer laughed an evil laugh and spoke "Yep that’s right Merc, I was the one who leaked the information to the brutes. You see the transmission back at the outpost was only a relay transmission to get orders from command. Little did you know that I set up a deal with the brutes to give them this planet in turn for my own company. I’m tired of taking orders from you and Striker. It's time to be the boss and killing you seals the deal." Cancer put his sniper on his back and ran off into the brute ranks.334

Snowflake was stunned as Merc fell to the floor of the trench bleeding out of his heart. He knelt to him and grabbed his hand. "Snow...Tell Striker about cancer...It’s been an honor serving with you Snow...” Merc said spiting blood on the inside of his visor.335

"Merc...Hang in there man...Save your strength...” Snow said it but it didn't help...Merc’s hand fell from Snowflake’s and hit the ground lifeless. Snowflake frowned under his helmet and then picked up Merc’s body throwing it over his shoulder. "You're not dying on me… I didn't die on you."336

Snowflake opened a com up to Striker "Sir...We have a problem...Merc is seriously injured and we are losing this battle. We need to regroup and come up with another defense." Snowflake spoke while dodging brutes and bullets.337

"Snow? You survived? Good... we need another Spartan. I know Snow order the fall back make the point our base." Striker replied338

"Oh and another thing...I know who betrayed us...Who gave away our position to the brutes." Snow told Striker339

"Who?" Striker asked curious.340

"Cancer...He just shot Merc in the heart and he’s in critical condition. His suit is barely keeping him alive. He is losing a lot of blood too. Cancer just ran into the brute ranks probably to tell them everything about us and our bases."341

"Fuck...I knew it...Get Merc back to the base quick...We need him more than ever along with every Spartan we have...Things are going to get ugly now that Cancer is with the brutes...but what I don’t know is why..."342

"I don’t know Striker but its bad... We can talk later with the rest of the team snow out."343

Snow then opened a com to everyone left alive in the battle.344

"Regroup at Base Alpha B3 We are retreating. The brutes have a new offense that we are not prepared for. Return to base Alpha B3 for Debriefing."345

Snow made it back to base after a couple minutes in a warthog. Merc still passed out blood oozing out of his wound slowly but steady. Snow carried Merc into the base where Doctors greeted him quickly and rushed him to the tanks.346

Snow watched as Merc was taken away he still layed there lifeless...Snows hopes were low for his surviving but he wouldn’t give up on him... 347

[Chapter 9]348

[A life once lost]349

Snowflake headed to the medical bay after the medical team. As the medical team entered the room, Snow saw Veggie sitting outside the door waiting for them. She took a quick glance at Merc and turned her head away quickly. Snow went up to her and spoke softly "Are you ok?"350

"I just can’t believe what happened to him... especially since Chris did this to him... I thought he was our friend and now he's done this... I just can’t comprehend what’s going on...how could he do this to us? Why? Why? WHY!" Veggie said back in a soft voice which gradually turned to anger. 351

"Clam down...Keri, I know he’s hurt you but you’re not the only one he’s hurt. He betrayed not only his friends but this company. He turned us in to a bunch of brutes for what? Money? Power? He’s nothing more than a greedy bastard now. There is nothing he can do that will make up for what he has done. He will pay for this. I promise you that one way or another he will pay." Snow Replied352

Veggie nodded as a tear fell from her eye under her visor. "I just can’t believe Scott... he’s... he’s going to be ok… right?" She asked353

"I’m sure he’s just fine… he’s going to be ok, I promise." Snow said softly "Now go see Striker… you need to be debriefed. He will tell you everything." 354

Veggie nodded again and left, looking back at the medical bay door hoping Merc would pop out of the room. But he didn’t...355

[Meanwhile back at the brute command center…]356

Cancer walked up the steps to the throne room with his sniper on his back and hands at his side. He walked with pride in his step and as he came to the brute High Warlord's throne he knelt down. 357

"What news do you have to bring your master?" The brute asked in a deep cruel voice. 358

"I have done what you asked. I have taken my life in my own hands and did what you asked without failure. He is dead as you asked...” Cancer replied.359

"Good, you have done well, now there is but one matter left to discuss." The brute stood up and pulled out a plasma sword. "Who do you serve?"360

"I serve..." Cancer paused then grinned evilly under his helmet. "I serve no one!" Cancer yelled out and quickly overtook the brute taking his sword arm behind his back, breaking it and cutting the throat of the brute with his sword all in one swift move. The brute gurgled as blood spurted upwards and fell to his knees blood still spurting out till he finally fell to the ground. Cancer stood, blood splattered over him, sword in hand, He then walked up to the throne and sat in it. He placed a boot on the brute's head and started to laugh.361

"The Time has come!" Cancer yelled out…362

[Back at ERS Spartans underground base...]363

Snow waited in the medical bay for hours until a doctor came out. "What’s the news doc?" Snow asked quickly.364

"It's not looking good. We managed to get the bullet out but it has already done major damage...I don’t know if we can save him. We will continue to work on him. If we work hard enough I think we can save him."365

"Ok. Keep me posted." Snow replied366

367

368

"Of course... I'll send updates on his status directly to your HUD." the doc replied and went back inside.369

Snow left the medical bay and headed to the Briefing room. Upon entering it many marines entered and exited. Papers where everywhere and talk was all about. It was complete chaos... they were in panic mode...370

371

372

Snow pushed through the mess and found striker who was being bombarded with plans and papers. Then finally Striker snapped "EVERYONE SHUT UP RIGHT NOW!" Striker used his external speakers to make his voice louder. 373

"Everyone listen up right now and I don’t want to hear a sound from any of you! I know things look bad but this is a test of will and strength. We are not beat and I will fight as long as I have to. This is our home not theirs!" 374

Snow stood stunned...he had never heard Striker have an outburst of anger before...375

"Now everyone get out! I need to think...I will hold a conference in four hours...” Striker replied.376

Cancer sat on his throne that he had taken over as his brutes came to him and knelt to him.377

Cancer smiled under his helmet and laughed while the brutes did his bidding. This was what he wanted, a company to rule over. Power. Vengeance!378

"My Fellow comrades, I come to you for help and you pay your respects well. I have to come to you today to seek revenge on those who call this planet home. I say we take this plant and destroy them. Let us take this planet and make it our home. Let us make this our place to build our empire on! Those out there wish to kill you and your kind. I say we kill them! I know now that it’s not about rules but it’s about power! Destroy those on this planet and you shall have all the power in the universe! We shall destroy them all! Who’s with me?!" Cancer called out.379

The brutes roared in approval in unison back at Cancer. 380

"Good, Send a covert force to these coordinates. Strike them at night. They won’t be expecting you then. Report back to me when they are all dead. OH! And another thing, if anyone brings me back Merc Reapers dead body or head they will be appointed my new commander." Cancer ordered.381

The brutes saluted and left the throne room to destroy the ERS Spartans.382

[Meanwhile] 383

Snowflake stood in the briefing room with the other Spartans but no marines. Striker entered the room in a hurry. Marines could be seen behind him as the door closed on them. Striker greeted the Spartans. 384

"Ok...there is bad news and worse news...and some hopeful news... I’ll start with the bad news... Bad news is the brute won that battle and we have no leverage now... The worse news is Cancer has turned on us. He betrayed us from the beginning...he gave our position to the brutes in turn for what I don’t know and ever care to know. He is a traitor and is to be killed on sight no questions asked. Now for some hopeful news, as you all know Merc has been injured and not with you here right now. The doctors report the wound wasn’t fatal and it missed his heart by a couple inches. Although it did hit a major artery they managed to patch it. He lost a lot of blood so they don’t know if he going to be ok until later. Now...I know these are dark time for us. The brutes have come to this planet and destroyed most of it. But we must continue to fight them. Which comes to my ultimate decision...We are leaving this planet. I got a transmission from UNSC command and we are to head back to earth. They will refit us and help build up an assault force. We leave this place immediately."385

The Spartans stood quiet but striker could feel every Spartan angry and shocked at him. But this was no popularity contest it was war and they lost. There was nothing left for them here...the planet was lost.386

"Pack your things and head for the pelicans. We did all we could now we must go." Striker nodded to the Spartans "Snowflake got on the intercom and order everyone off the planet. They have exactly two hours before the ship leaves the planet if they are not on it they get left behind. Now Dismissed!" Striker ordered and all the Spartans left the room hurrying to get everyone off the planet as ordered.387

Veggie went to snowflake and panicked. "What about Merc? How’s he going to get out of here?" 388

Snowflake shook his head at her. "Don’t worry he’s going to be ok, I'm sure of it. Get your gear and get on the pelican now." Then snowflake went to the desk with the intercom and spoke into it. "All ERS Personnel grab any gear you can and report to your assigned pelicans. We are leaving the planet. You have two hours to grab any gear you can and load it." 389

Just then an explosion rocked the tunnel. "What was that?" Snowflake asked Veggie.390

"I don’t know..." Veggie replied391

Just then another explosion hit the tunnel then gun fire could be heard outside and screams.392

Snowflake hit the intercom "ALL ERS PERSONNEL GET OUT! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! GET TO YOUR PELICANS NOW!" 393

Veggie grabbed her BR from her back and pressed up on the door. Snowflake did the same on the opposite door. Veggie then pulled a knife out as she heard a brute on the other side of the door. It opened the sliding doors and stopped dead in its tracks. Veggie had stabbed it in the neck slicing it open. She then kicked the brute in the knee cap and there was a loud crunching noise as it broke. The body hit the floor with a loud crash and blood. 394

"Damn...where did you learn all that?" Snowflake asked.395

"Lets just say from a friend." Veggie smiled and headed down the hall. "Come on we gotta go get Merc. He’s hailing me on the com."396

"Really? Damn those bacta tanks are fast." Snow replied and followed behind her. 397

[Meanwhile on the other side of the base]398

Cancer walked down the hall Br on his back and Sword in his hand. He stabbed a marine and threw him aside. One of them shot at him and the bullets bounced off his armor. Cancer grabbed the marine and crushed his skull against the wall. Then he came to the briefing room where he expected everyone to be but as the door opened he noticed no one was in it.399

"Damn you Striker ill get you yet!" Cancer cursed.400

More to come.....401