Reach for Halo

Escape The Base

Mutasim P.O.V

After checking out the guns and indulging in our... "session", Six and I handed out guns to every Marine, Elite, Jackal and Grunt possible that was on our side. Once everyone was armed, we all begin to make our escape. The base was being attacked by the Covenant. Brutes and loyalist Jackals and Grunts had infiltrated the base and were trying to kill as many people as they could. 

Right now, Six and I were on our way to a hangar, making sure the aliens we were with, got out safely. Chief was doing the same with marines in a different part of the base. As for Thelya, I wasn't sure where she was right now. I could only assume she was doing something similar elsewhere in the base. 

Upon entering one of the many hangars of the base, we were met with two Hunters battling against an entire horde of Brutes. I recognise the Hunters as the two I met when I was with Thelya, before we fought Tartarus. I pull out my Assault Rifle and open fire at the Brutes. Everyone else standing with me does the same, allowing the pair of Hunters to retreat. 

They take cover with us, catching a breather. The Brutes return fire, but we had the high ground and more cover. I turn to the Elites. 

Mutasim: You got your camouflage? 

Elite: Yes. What of it? 

Mutasim: Use it, flank around and attack from behind. We'll pin them in the middle. 

The Elite nods and barks orders at the other Elites. They then turn invisible and move out. I stand up from the cover and fire at a Brute, blasting one of them in the head. Before his brethren can shoot me, I drop back down, avoiding being shot. 

One of the Hunters stands up and fires at the Brutes. The Brutes try to fight back, but the Elites ambush them from behind. As soon as the Elites struck, everyone else stood back up and opened fire on the trapped aliens, killing them nearly instantly. With the Brutes dead, a Pelican flies into the hangar and the back door opens. 

Six: Everyone get in! Go! 

The ship fills up with the allied aliens, including the Hunters. Six jumps on and I was about to before Cora spoke up. 

Cora: Hold on Mutasim. With the Hunters and a Spartan, plus the Elites and the others, there'd be too much weight if one more person gets on. 

Mutasim: Oh come on. Seriously? 

Six: What if I get off? 

Cora: Someone has to be left behind and find a different hangar and ship. 

Mutasim: Six, you go on ahead with these guys. I'll find my way around to a different hangar. 

She seemed hesitant, but nods regardless. 

Six: Okay. Just don't die on me. 

Mutasim: I won't. Now go. 

Nodding, she sits back down and I watch as the ship takes off. Once out of sight, I take a deep breath and turn around, heading back inside the base. I follow Cora's instructions and find myself at the hangar where we came in from. Fighting there was Chief and Thelya along with a few marines, one of them I recognise as Lilith. 

Brutes with jetpacks flew over their heads and shot down at them. Looking around, I grab a Plasma Rifle and open fire at the Brutes, helping the others out. 

Thelya: Mutasim! 

Mutasim: Mind if I join the party? 

One Brute becomes enraged and rushes me! I knew I had no chance in CQC without an Energy Sword, so I run to the edge of the platform. The Brute tries to tackle me off but I move aside just in time, making him jump off to his death due to his jetpack being broken. I let out a low sigh and continue firing at the other Brutes. Eventually, they were all gunned down and a ship flew down to us. 

Lilith takes a deep breath. I pat her back. 

Mutasim: You okay? 

Lilith: Yeah. Think I'm getting used to this. 

Mutasim: That's good to hear. Cmon, let's get out of here. 

The marines, Thelya and I hop in the back of the ship while Chief remains in the base to activate the bomb. Lilith sits on my right while Thelya sits on my left. Out of nowhere, I feel Thelya place her hand on my knee. I look up at her and notice the soft expression she gives me. 

Thelya: Are you alright? 

Mutasim: Yeah. I'm fine. How about you? 

Thelya: Yes. But... I am curious about what the Parasite called you. What did it mean? "Lost from a world beyond? And is the most enlightened?"

I gulp. Noble Team took it about as well as I expected, but Thelya was an Elite who could rip me apart. Then again, she sees me as a friend, right? But what about the marines with me? Would they remain so calm? 

After taking a moment to weigh the pros and cons, I speak. 

Mutasim: The truth is... I'm from... A different world entirely. Not as in a planet, I mean a different universe, I guess? A universe where all this, you, the marines, Halo, the Covenant, all of it is a video game. In my world, none of this was real, it was just fiction. 

Her eyes widen and she looks down at her feet. 

Thelya: You mean... You knew what would happen? Is that why you spared me after our battle on the ship? 

I look down at my feet, unsure of what answer to give. But my silence seemed to speak for itself. To my surprise, Thelya pats my back. 

Thelya: It matters little. But should the Parasite able to infect you...

Mutasim: Then the Gravemind will know everything about the future for this. I know. Which is why I don't intend on being infected. 

Lilith: So this next part... Have you played through it?  

Mutasim: Yeah. We need to destroy the Covenant's Anti-Air cannons so we can fire on Truth's ship. 

Thelya: Do we succeed? 

Mutasim: No. Instead, the Flood finds their way here which results in New Mombasa being glassed. But right now, we'll deal with the Covenant. We can worry about the Flood later. 

Thelya nods and looks out the back of the ship as we wait to reach our destination. 

I just hoped I wouldn't get infected by the spores of the Flood...