The Wilted Planet

Chapter 17: Bladed Plasma

Caleb stumbled forward into the large area. The battle reaching a peak that he hadn't seen on the cameras. The whole simulation area was riddled with holes from human and Covenant rifles alike. Moving forward cautiously, Caleb tried to study the situation before making a move.

Grunts and Jackals seemed to be surrounding Serge and the other marines, who were taking cover behind a single set of doors. Plasma fire rained down on their position. Caleb frowned, confused at what he was seeing. They seemed to be trying to keep the Covenant away from the doors. But why?

What was Serge risking the lives of everyone, including Serge himself, down there for? They hadn't gone to the comms, otherwise the area would have been cleared. They'd gone down there. But what for? What was down there that was so valuable Serge would ignore their mission for it? Caleb couldn't think of anything, which bothered him a lot.

A noise nearby made Caleb jump in surprise before ducking back out of sight. A split second later, two jackals ran past before going out of his sight from the doorway. Caleb peeked back out carefully and stepped into then area after them. The jackals were already out of hearing range, he hoped they didn't turn around.

Creeping down the walkway after the two aliens Caleb held his breath, praying his footsteps wouldn't be heard. A loud shout stood out from the other sounds of combat grabbing Caleb's attention just in time to see the ceiling cave in above the other marines. The falling debris barely missing his comrades.

The marines took advantage of the wreckage though, immediately taking up positions in the fallen metal and stone. Caleb couldn't help but smile to himself as he spotted Serge mounting up on a higher vantage point, his turret placed down in an instant. With a loud rally cry Serge mowed down a line of Covenant forces within moments.

Yet despite this little victory this seemed so familar to Caleb. His smile faded as panic set in. He had seen this, this had all happend before. My dream... this... no I know what happens next! Caleb turned away from the battle and ran face first into a jackal foot soldier. Its beady bird-like eyes glared into his before it let out a warning screech.

Caleb panicked and did the one thing he knew he shouldn't, shot the jackal. The lifeless creature slumped to the ground, but now any Covenant around would know he was there. Caleb cursed under his breath and ducked as a group of grunts came running up the walkway.

Plasma fire rushed up to meet him and he barely managed to avoid the worst of it. A few shots hit him in the chest, smoke rising from his chest armor. Quickly he dropped the grunts with a few headshots. The plasma stopped smoking in his armor but he knew he was lucky it didn't melt through completely.

A thought flashed through his mind as he fingered the holes in his chest piece. In his dream he had no armor on. He charged into battle without armor on, but he also got killed. Caleb made a quick decision and unlatched his damaged armor letting it fall to the walkway with a loud clunk.

If this is coming true.. then he doesn't have much time. I have to get down there. Caleb thought to himself. Checking his ammo clip he muttered another harsh curse. Used up all of my ammo on those blasted grunts.. Now what? He questioned in his mind.

His hand slowly grabbed the magnum strapped to his thigh and he felt his hair stand on end. Everything in my dream is coming true.. The thought broke Caleb's stupor. I'm not losing them.. I won't let it happen!  With just that desperate thought and a magnum, Caleb leapt down the walkway to the ground below.

As he neared the combat, Caleb fired his first magnum round into the closest Covenant troops. Jackals and grunts fell, the heavy bullets piercing through their bodies easily. Purple and blue blood splattered the ground from every kill he could manage to achieve. Hearing the click of his gun going empty, Caleb tossed it aside and sprinted for a blockade for cover.