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Master Gunnery Sergeant Chapter 1
Posted By: Chief-117<smg6787@msn.com>
Date: 14 July 2003, 8:22 AM


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0731 Hours Pillar of Autumn in orbit around Threshold

The pounding could be heard throughout the bright halls. Echoing throughout the entire ship. The pounding of rubber soles meeting with the cold metal floors. The clatter of equipment created an eirry but adrenaline pumping environment. The sound continued on until it disappeared at the start of the roaring and the thud of engines. Chaos was strung about as a calm voice of a woman came on the loudspeaker, "Attention all combat personnel. Please report to your action stations."

Several men in suits of brown metal formed into 2 parallel lines. Walking down the middle of them was a tall and buff black man. With a loud deep voice he said, "Once again, it is our job to finish what the flyboys started. We are leaving this ship platoon, and engaging the Covenant on solid ground. When we meet the enemy, we will rip the skulls from their spines and throw 'em away, laughon'. Am I right Marines?"

All the marines responded at once with the same answer, "Sir yes Sir!"

"MmmmHmmm. Damn right I am. Now move it out. Double time!"

The marines ran from the garage followed closely by the large black man. "For all you greenhorns who wanted to see Covenant up close... today is your lucky day," said Master Gunnery Sergeant John Barnes, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 871st Expeditionary Regiment.

The squad ran through the halls toward their defense position. "Hey Sarge, we're we going?"

"To Sector 4D-6."

"Why?"

"Because the main escape pod holes and maintenance shafts are part of the sector. The Covies use the escape holes to attach their boarding ship. And if they get into the maintenance shafts they'll have complete access to Deck 6, got it you stupid piece of shit?"

"Yes sir," said Mendoza, smiling.

The squad came to a staircase leading to a circluar platform that looks down on the floor below. The squad moved up it as 4 others provided cover. The pointman was suddenly struck in the face by plasma fire. he fell from the stairs and landed on top of a marine. The others on the stairs jumped down and tried to find cover wherever possible. A plasma grenade fell near the marine under the dead one. Unable to lift the heavy body dressed in armored suits he screamed for help. Barnes ran over and lifted the body off the marine. They both ran as far as possible as the grenade detonated. The blast knocked them to the ground but niether of them recieved any injuries.

Two other marines were shot dead as the Covies kept on firing. "Fuck this," Barnes said to himself.

"Fire team 2, provide covering fire as the rest of us assualt the platform. Go go go!"

Just as he said this a squad of Covies charged down the stairs lead by an unexpierenced blue elite who was overwelmed with the thought of victory. Most of the grunts were cut down as they came down the stairs. Only the elite made it down the stairs. He gave an order but when he got no answer he looked behind him. His entire squad was decimated, when he turned back toward the marines Mendoza was standing their with a pistol at his head. His eyes widened in fear as as he pulled the trigger. The bullet pierced the shield and passed right through it's head. It fell to the ground as marines ran up the stairs. Mandoza was in front but an elite fired at him. He rolled to the side to dodge the fire but fell off the stairs. Barnes fired at the elite but ran out of ammo before he could kill it. As he was reloading the elite charged at him and hit him in the stomach with his gun. Barnes fell back, the elite ran straight at him as he fumbled with his pistol. The elite reared his and roared as he charged, when he look ed down at Barnes he stopped instantly. Barnes pointed his pistol at it's head and without blinking an eye he killed it.

A grenade fell from above, Barnes and the others jumped from the stairs as it exploded. 3 other marines died in the attack and Covenant still occupied the platform. Without the strength to attack again they had to hold their position to stall the Covies. Then without notice, a green armored man ran out the hallway from which they came and ran straight up the stairs being hit several times. A golden light flickered every time he was hit. He got to the top of the stairs and wiped out the rest of the Covies in several seconds. Barnes and the others followed him.

"Sarge," came a low voice from inside the gold visored mask, "have your men follow behind me and cover my flanks."

"Yes Chief," said Barnes.

The marines followed the Chief taking sporadic fire from the Covies but they were dealt with quickly. When they reached the escape pod holes and maintenance shafts the blast doors started to close. Only the Chief got to the right side. Immediately Barnes and Taylor, an expert at electronics began rerouting the wiring of the blast doors. After several minutes they were able open the blast doors. They went into the maintenance shafts in search for the Chief. They came out of the shafts into a large escape pod area. Several marines were firing at Covies. Barnes and the others manuevered around the Covies' rear. They lobbed grenades and after they detonated they took out what was left of the Covies with their guns.

They were going up to the other squad of marines when a large explosion incenrated the marines and shook the ship. Captain Keyes voice came on the loudspeaker, "All personnel, abandon ship, that is a order, abandon ship."

"Alright girls, find me an escape pod so I can get the fuck off this piece of shit."

They went in search of an escape pod and within several minutes Taylor found already occupied by a pilot, 2 marines, and an engineer. They got in the pod and strapped themselves in. The escape pod jettisoned from the ship. The flight went smoothly thanks to the pilot. Barnes was grateful for this. Everyone onboard the ship was qualified to fly an escape pod, the computer did most of the work but a profesional pilot knew what he was doing. Barnes liked having an actual pilot because he was scared of flying, something he wanted no one to know about the most feared, badass marine in the galaxy. Then Barnes saw what could not be possible. A giant ring ahead of them could be seen through the window. Everyone looked in wonder at the object.

"The computer readings show that that thing has an atmosphere capable of supporting us," said the pilot, "want me land on it."

"Damn right I want you to land on it, I hate flyings." The entire ship broke out in laughter. He mentally kicked himself. The laughter was cut short as the craft started to shake. After several minutes they had passed through the atmoshpere but continued to have major turbulence. The ship then struck the surface and everything went dark.

To be continued...





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