Halo: Conflicts

Chapter 5: Cataclysm

August 21, 2552
Planet Reach
2100 hours
   
It is silent. Water steadily drips from the sewer ceiling, making a rhythmic splash in the shallow water below. The entire tunnel is shrouded in darkness, separated from the chaos on the surface. The water continues... Drip... Drip...
   
There is a splash as heavy footsteps plunge through the ground water. A Spartan, clad in sage armor, moves quickly through the sewer. Several subsequent splashes reveal the rest of the team. John-A222 stares through his visor as the Spartans press forward. From their helmets, the sewer is lit by the static green of night vision. A222 looks up at a marked waypoint "Distance, Commander?" asks Adam-B226. John comms in a somewhat hushed voice, "We still have quite a way." The walls of the sewer are coated in sludge. The water rushes past their feet as the Spartans move. "Resistance is nonexistent... Do you think it will stay this way?" Timothy-A130 asks, cradling and assault rifle. "We are on the way to a Covenant staging site. I doubt it," replies Josh-A124. Commander A222 looks over his shoulder "Just watch your motion trackers."
  
2132 hours
  
There is a horrible screech as a Drone spirals down into the water, dying. Green burst of plasma light up the sewer, complemented by the bright light of UNSC weapons. Adam and Tyler both fire shotguns into the cluster of Drones. One of the Buggers charges John but is beaten down by his assault rifle. "These sewers are probably crawling with them." Josh fires a DMR. "What about Gauntlet, sir?" The Commander reloads, "Gauntlet Team has encountered similar resistance in their tunnel." He ducks away from a green blast. "But they are pushing to the objective just as we are." The Spartans continue firing, dropping more Drones. It seems that every time one is killed, several more take its place. "A124, check for alternate routes." Josh nods, "Copy that, Commander." He brings up a display of the tunnels on his positioning system. "Alright Spartans, there are two smaller tunnels about one hundred meters ahead. They diverge but later meet up closer to the objective," Josh explains. John-A222 and the others nod, still firing at the Drones. John yells out, "Alright Nova, on my mark. Three..." He brings down another Drone. "Two..." Another Drone. "One..." The Spartans lean, ready. "MARK!" The Spartans dart forward, throwing up splashes of water. The Drones aimlessly fire, unable to follow the Spartans' movements.
  
"Forward! Forward!" The Spartans continue running. A222 looks over his shoulder as the Drones begin to follow. The tunnel entrances approach on the Spartans' right. John and Tyler reach them first and turn to cover the others. The Commander gives orders. "Alright, Nova Three, Five, and Six in the left tunnel. Nova Two and Four on me." The Spartans nod and split up. John can be heard on comm a moment later. "On the double, Nova. We're behind."
  
2203 hours
   
John-A222 rounds a bend with Josh and Adam. He comms to the others, "Tyler, Timothy, Nathan, how are we looking." The response comes through. "Everything clear this way, sir." In his tunnel, A222 nods in approval. "Alright, there should be a junction up ahead. Stand by on-" He stops abruptly as his tunnel begins to shake. Small pieces begin to fall from the ceiling. John looks up, seeing cracks in the top. His eyes widen behind his visor. "Fall back Nova!" The Spartans turn and dive as large chunks of concrete burst down into the water. The Spartans get to there feet, peering up through the hole at the city above. The ground shakes again as a pair of Hunters drop through the opening. "Three, Five, and Six! We've been engaged!" the Commander yells, opening fire on the Hunters. The response comes through, "Same on this side, Commander." The Hunters brace with their shields, completely blocking the tunnels.
  
"We can take them!" Adam calls out, firing his shotgun. John looks over "No. Pull back Nova." Tyler-B037 comms, "But sir..." A222 is firm. "No buts. We've been given new orders. We are to abandon the current objective." Josh and Adam nod as John continues, "Three, Five, and Six, we'll rendezvous in the main tunnel. Tim, you still have our charges?" Timothy comms, "Got 'em. What did you have in mind, Commander?"
  
2221 hours
   
The Spartans are back in the main sewer now. Timothy-A130 is placing explosive charges along the inside of the tunnel. "We're good, guys." John-A222 nods, "Alright then. Let's fall back." He looks over at Josh-A124. "There are two manholes just to our south. Once we are clear, Timothy, you may detonate at will." The blue-armored Spartan nods. The Spartans move back and get to the manhole ladders. Deep roars and loud screeches echo from down the tunnel. The Spartans climb up the ladders until only John and Timothy remain. Hunters appear in the distance as the two climb the ladders. John looks over his should and nods to Timothy. The blue Spartan holds onto his ladder rung with one hand and clicks a detonator with the other.
  
The tunnel instantly lights with fire and explosions as the two Spartans continue up the ladders. The tunnel ceiling collapses crushing the Hunters. Fire purges the Drones. John and Timothy climb out of the manhole just as the ladders are consumed by fire below them. Josh, Adam, Tyler, and Nathan have their weapons at their sides, looking around at the sky. A222 and A130 get to their feet at take a look as well. Four Covenant SDV-class corvettes have taken position over the city, their lights shining in the dark sky. "Damn...." Timothy remarks. John looks around. The Spartans listen as their comms activate. "Spartans, as you can tell, our game has taken a very drastic turn." There is a short pause until the voice continues. "Colonel Urban Holland will be coordinating Spartan deployments for the time being. We are sending an evac craft." The Spartans look at each other and nod.