Chapters [Authors note - I know I said I would be doing Haylo 2 after Haylo: A New World was concluded, but as I have said, I am writing a few prequels beforehand. This is only to clear up a few loose ends for Haylo 2. Besides this fic, I also plan on writing two other fics, Haylo: Among the Stars, which is about Backdraft and Nova after the events of this fic, and Haylo: Boot Camp, which is about the training and some of the missions of the Spartan IV's. Anyway, may I present, Haylo: Dark Abyss.]
July 12th, 2565 The U.N.S.C. Frigate Equestria
"Commander, I am reading a S.O.S. signal from a nearby Cargo Ship. The U.N.S.C. Nightingale , to be precise." One of the crewmen said to Commander Rarity. Rarity walked over to his station.
"Raise them, Lieutenant." She ordered.
"I've been trying for the past thirteen minutes, ma'am." The crewman said.
"Keep trying." Rarity said walking away, towards a waiting Captain Luna.
"What is it, Rarity?" Captain Luna asked.
"We are reading a S.O.S. signal from the U.N.S.C. Nightingale . We are getting no response from it." Rarity stated.
"Well, do you have any ideas to deal with this situation?" Luna asked.
"I recommend sending in a few teams of O.D.S.T.s to investigate."
"I agree. I'll lend you the squad I brought with me." Luna said, before turning to Nova. "Nova, would you mind getting the rest of the squad?"
Nova put on her best smile and bowed. "Of course, your majesty."
Backdraft walked into his squads room with the leftovers of his dinner. Originally, he rejected the idea of eating meat, but after a few years, he couldn't get enough of it. He trotted over to the fridge and placed the food inside of it. After closing it, he heard a noise he hadn't noticed before. The rapid creaking of a bed. Fearing the worse, Backdraft picked up his magnum and crept over to the room where the noise was coming from. The door opened automatically and he rolled in, magnum at the ready. What he saw, crushed his heart.
"Pinkie?! Braeburn!?" Backdraft asked, his mouth agape. In front of him was Pinkie being mounted by Braeburn, both of their faces showing a mix of shock, shame, and embarrassment.
"Drafty! It isn't what it-" Pinkie began, but Backdraft raised his hoof in the air.
"Spare me." He said before walking out, punching a dent in the wall as he walked out.
Nova walked into the room, to see a sulking Backdraft lying on the couch.
"What happened with you, kid?" Nova asked, sitting on the floor next to him.
"Pinkie... Braeburn..." The memories came flooding back to him, causing his heart to sink into his chest. Nova stood up and patted him on the back.
"I've been there, Draft. Remember when me and Comet went out?" Nova asked.
"Yeah..." Backdraft replied.
"He did the same exact thing to me. She wasn't the mare for you, that's all. Get over it, there is more fish in the sea."
Backdraft wiped his eyes and smiled at Nova, pulling her in for a hug. "Thanks, Nova."
Nova gladly returned the hug. After they broke it up, Nova got to her hooves and smiled. "The Captain wants us. You might want to get your gear ready to go."
"Right!" Backdraft said, jumping to his hooves and trotting into his room. He picked up his silenced battle rifle and his SOCOM magnum, before throwing on his Mark II P Suit. He walked out of his room, where the rest of the squad was waiting. Backdraft shot Pinkie and Braeburn a glare. If glares could kill, the two ponies would be dead right now.
"Let's go. Luna is expecting us on the bridge." Braeburn stated.
Nova hit Backdraft on the shoulder. "You will get over it, trust me."
"So, what's up, boss?" Braeburn asked Luna.
"We picked up a S.O.S. from the U.N.S.C. Nightingale , and have so far had no luck with raising them. We are sending you in with the O.D.S.T.s on board the Equestria to investigate. We don't know anything about what happened on board that ship, so be prepared for anything. Good luck, ponies. Dismissed!" Luna said. The four ponies bowed and walked out of the bridge.
The squad jumped on board their pelican. Commander Rarity and Gunnery Sergeant Smith jumped on board behind them.
"Mind if we come along, darlings?" Rarity asked.
"It would be an honor, ma'am." Braeburn replied. Luna walked up to the squads pelican.
"I need to get back to the Equis, so once you guys are done with this op, just give me a call. Good luck." Luna said, saluting before she walked off. The pelican bay door closed, as a red light turned on and illuminated the cabin.
"Commander, you have a helmet to go with that suit, right?" Braeburn asked.
"Why, yes." Rarity replied.
"Put it on. We're going to be going in with a bang." Braeburn said.
Pinkie Pie tapped on her det charge. Rarity nodded and placed her helmet over her head, it sealing with a hiss. Nova handed out jetpacks to the squad, who quickly attached them to their armor.
"Going E.V.A. in five... four... three... two... one..." Nova counted down as the pelican bay door opened. The squad activated their jetpacks and hovered to the hull of the Nightingale .
"Pinkie, blow the hull." Braeburn ordered.
"On it!" Pinkie sang as she attached the det charge to the hull.
"Clear out!" Braeburn ordered the squad as they hovered away. Once they were at a safe distance, Braeburn signaled Pinkie to blow it. She pulled out the detonator and flipped the switch. As soon as she did this, a small portion of the hull exploded in a ball of orange flame, producing a small hole in the ships hull. As this happened, a large amount of debris was sucked into the vacuum of space. In the debris, Backdraft swore he saw a few bodies among the rubble. As he moved towards the debris to investigate, he felt a hoof on his shoulder.
"Time to move, Backdraft." Nova said. Backdraft turned and nodded to her, before hovering inside of the Nightingale .
As the door sealed behind the squad, Backdraft felt his hoofs touch the cold, metallic ground, signaling the return of gravity.
"Do we have oxygen back?" Rarity asked Braeburn.
"Nova?"
"It's on your H.U.D., sir." Nova pointed out.
"What she said, ma'am. And to answer your question, yes, we have oxygen." Braeburn said.
"Good." Rarity said before taking her helmet off and placing it in her bag. She then put on her headset and turned it on. "All squads, check in."
"This is Alpha, the hanger is secure. Nothing alive here, ma'am." Alpha reported.
"This is Beta, we are in, we haven't found anything yet." Beta reported.
"Charlie, are you there?" Rarity asked. There was no response. Rarity pulled out a hologram that listed the status of all the squads and scrolled down to Charlie. Everyone who was with Charlie was flat lined. "Charlie is down, Alpha, Beta, which one of you is closest to Charlie's location?"
"This is Beta, we are nearby Charlie's last known location. Want us to investigate?" Beta asked.
"That is affirmative, Beta. Report back A.S.A.P." Rarity ordered.
"You've got it, boss." Beta replied.
Rarity turned to the rest of the squad. "All right guys, we need to head to the bridge. Alright?"
"Yes ma'am." The squad replied.
"Nova, get point. Braeburn, cover our six." Rarity ordered.
"No problem." Nova said, cocking her shotgun and leading the squad down the hall. As the squad rounded the corner, Nova suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Nova, what's wrong?" Backdraft asked, walking up to Nova, but stopping dead in his tracks when noticing the scene in front of him. The walls were covered with blood and flesh. Backdraft slowly walked forward, before stepping on something squishy. He looked down and saw the dismembered body of a young mare.
"Dear Celestia..." Backdraft muttered.
[Authors note - From now on, a new chapter will be out every two days. Enjoy. <3]
"What... the fuck?..." Braeburn muttered. The squad was circled around the remains of the unlucky pony.
"What do you think did this, Smith?" Rarity asked, barely holding back her vomit.
"I would say brutes... but, there would be dead Covenant too, and I don't see any plasma burns anywhere. Besides, there aren't any Covenant ships around, and Covenant don't just leave a ship they attacked intact."
"So... this is unheard of?"
"Correct."
"Um, ma'am, I have something on my motion tracker." Backdraft said. "Down the hall."
"Nova, Backdraft, go investigate. Pinkie, Braeburn, cover the rear." Rarity ordered.
"Come on Draft." Nova said, walking down the hall. Backdraft followed, his battle rifle at the ready. As they walked down the hall, they came across even more bodies, all seeming to be horribly mutilated.
"What do you think happened here?" Backdraft asked.
"I don't know, Draft. But I hope we don't run into what caused this." Nova said. A few moments later, the lights flickered and died.
"Shit..." Backdraft muttered. Backdraft and Nova both switched on their helmet mounted flashlights. As Backdraft did this, he noticed something moving in the corner of his eye. He quickly shifted to his left, aiming his battle rifle into the stomach of a human, covered in blood.
"A survivor?" Nova asked.
The human stared down at the two ponies, his eyes showing shock and fear.
"Are you okay?" Backdraft asked, taking a step towards the human.
"Get away from me!" He shouted, stepping away from the ponies and pulling out a magnum.
"Woah! Calm down!" Nova exclaiming, shouldering her shotgun and aiming it at the human. "Identify yourself!"
As the human calmed down, he lowered his magnum. "M-my name is Timothy." He stammered.
"Timothy, what happened here?" Backdraft asked.
"The Marker... we found the Marker..."
"The Marker?" Nova asked, confused.
"Yes... it drove everyone insane... then those things started showing up..." Timothy stammered, before breaking down into sobs.
"Did these things cause this?" Nova asked. Timothy nodded, sobbing heavily.
"We need to go. I have a lot of movement on my motion tracker, and it's heading our way." Backdraft stated.
"Right, let's go. Come on, Timothy." Nova said, pulling Timothy's shirt, dragging him as they ran down the hall.
"Commander, Beta is down." Smith stated. Rarity frowned and switched on her headset.
"Alpha, do you read me, over?" She asked.
"This is Alpha, what do you need Commander?" Alpha asked.
"What is your status?"
"We are at one hundred percent strength ma'am, no trouble... wait a second."
"What is it, Alpha?"
"I am reading lots of movement on my motion tracker. Private, are you reading this?"
"Yes sir. It's not just you." A distant voice responded.
"Sir, there is something in the vents!" Another voice shouted.
Moments later, Rarity could hear gunshots and the screams of Alpha squad.
"Commander, we are under attack! My men are being ripped apart!" Alpha shouted over the radio.
"Barricade yourselves inside the pelican, now!" Rarity shouted.
"Yes ma'am! Let's go team, inside the pelican, now!" Alpha ordered as the radio died. Rarity scrolled up to Alpha and checked their status. Only two of the original ten members were not flat lining.
"Commander, the Sarge is dead. We are locked down inside the pelican. Those things have us surrounded. Your orders?"
"Just stay put. We will see what we can do." Rarity said. "Squad, regroup."
Moments later, Backdraft and Nova arrived, with Timothy right behind him.
"We found a survivor, ma'am." Nova reported, motioning to the blood covered human. "His name's Timothy."
"Timothy, do you have any idea what we are facing? And how we can fight them?" Rarity asked.
"The... the monitor called them necromorphs... they started showing up shortly after people started getting exposed to the Marker. Our Marines were sent in to deal with them, but they were slaughtered. The only way to take them out is dismemberment... otherwise you're just wasting ammo." Timothy stated.
"Hold on... Rarity, where is Pinkie and Braeburn?" Nova asked.
"My God..." Smith said, looking down at the mutilated corpses of Pinkie Pie and Braeburn.
Backdraft just stood there, silent.
"Backdraft..." Nova began, but Backdraft hold up his hoof.
"I don't want to talk about it." Backdraft said forcefully.
"We don't have time to mourn." Smith said. "Take their weapons and ammo, they won't be needing them anymore." Nova sighed and picked up Braeburn's DMR, as Backdraft picked up Pinkies assault rifle.
"Let's go. The bridge is down the hall." Rarity said solemnly as the remains of the squad continued on.
"Ma'am, I've got movement." Smith said. The squad turned around to see a swarm of creatures chasing after them. Instead of arms, they seemed to sprout blades and claws. Their skin was a sickly yellow, and most of them had gruesome injuries. One of them charged forward, raising his claws above his head, preparing to strike. Smith charged forward and blew off its legs with his assault rifle. It fell to the ground and started using its claws to crawl towards the squad. Smith shot off one of its arms, causing it to fall to the ground and go limp.
"You guys keep going. I'll hold them off." Smith said, loading a new magazine into his assault rifle. "Nova, toss me a frag."
"You got it." Nova said, rolling a fragmentation grenade to him.
"Get behind the door!" Smith shouted as the necromorphs began rushing towards the squad. The rest of the squad ran down the hall, as a door sealed behind them. As one of the necromorphs reached him, he pulled the pin out of the grenade and threw it aside. The necromorph cut Smith's arm clean off before decapitated him. Seconds later, the grenade detonated, creating a hole in the hull and sucking the necromorphs out into the vacuum of space.
"Alright... here we are... Nova, Backdraft, breaching positions." Rarity ordered. Nova and Backdraft nodded and took positions by the door. Rarity turned to Timothy.
"Timothy, dear, do you know the access code to the bridge?" Rarity asked.
"Oh... of course... the access code is... access code." Timothy said.
"Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me..." Backdraft muttered.
"Shut it!" Rarity ordered. Rarity trotted up to the door and quickly entered in the access code. The door opened as Backdraft and Nova entered the bridge, scanning for threats. They heard a screech as they saw a necromorph charge towards them. Nova and Backdraft quickly raised their weapons and blew off its arms and legs with ease.
"Clear!" Nova called to Rarity and Timothy. They quickly entered the bridge and sealed the door.
"I'm going to check the Commanders logs. Nova, Backdraft, why don't you two try to find some survivors."
"Alright. Let's go, Draft." Nova said with a wink as she walked away. Backdraft quickly caught up to her.
"This is fubar." Backdraft stated.
"Oorah." Nova agreed.
"Wait... you hear that?" Backdraft asked.
"No." Nova said.
"I did." A human carrying an assault rifle said. "Put down the weapons."
"It's Commander Anderson..." Nova muttered. The ponies placed their weapons on the floor.
"I'm taking the bitch. Any moves from you, I'll blow you both away." The Captain said, grabbing Nova by the tail and pulling her close, keeping his assault rifle trained in on Backdraft. He leaned down and whispered in Nova's ear. "Me and you... we're going to have some fun together..."
Nova's eyes widened at this. "Help..." She mouthed to Backdraft. Backdraft's hoof slowly crept to his holster, feeling his way onto the magnums grip. As he did this, he heard a familiar, yet terrifying screech as necromorph jumped out of the vent, jumping on the Commander. Backdraft pulled Nova away as he pulled his magnum out of its holster, firing two shots to take out the necromorphs limbs. He quickly grabbed his battle rifle and shouldered it, blasting away the Commander and the necromorph with a few quick bursts. He turned to Nova and helped her off the ground.
"You alright?" He asked.
"Yeah... I'm fine... thanks." Nova replied.
"Alright... let's see if this will shed any light on this mystery..." Rarity muttered as she sat down at a terminal. She moved the mouse and clicked on the icon that said "Commanders Logs."
...
/User... CmdrAnderson
...
/Pass... Password
...
Access granted.
Commanders Log #034 June 28th, 2565
Whie passing the remains of Delta Halo, our scanners picked up a large object floating in space. When we went in to investigate, we found a monitor. He called the structure a Marker. He also said that it has the power to drive people insane... but so far, this has proven false.
Commanders Log #035 June 30th, 2565
Several of the technicians have reported having hallucinations, causing them to see very horrible and terrible things. The Lieutenant I put in charge of examining the Marker told me about seeing his wife and child turning into horrible creatures and trying to kill him. It was the first time in a very long time I saw a full grown man break out in tears.
Commanders Log #036 July 1st, 2565
Some of the crew has been becoming very violent lately. Those who have been exposed to the Marker are all now having horrific hallucinations. Some of them have actually assaulted other crew members, even killing other crew members. Others have went on nervous breakdowns and killed themselves. Our morgue is already filled up, for gods sake. I'm going to have the Marines on board take care of the problem, it seems like the only solution now.
Commanders Log #037 July 4th, 2565
Today, the ships nurse came bursting into my quarters. She told that all the bodies in morgue have mysteriously disappeared. I go with her to the morgue and sure enough, the bodies are missing. Exactly how does fifty bodies disappear into thin air? I tried asking the monitor about it, but all I could get out of him was something about necromorphs. When I asked him about these necromorphs, he just fell silent. I'm going to get to the bottom of this, even if it's the last thing I do.
Commanders Log #038 July 6th, 2565
Some of the crew have gone missing. I'm not sure what is responsible, but I'm deploying the Marines to investigate.
Commanders Log #039 July 7th, 2565
We have been reading some unknowns in our lower decks, where our crew has been going missing. The Marine patrols I sent in have also went missing. I am sending in the majority of our forces in to deal with the problem. Hopefully all goes well.
Commanders Log #040 July 10th, 2565
After three days, the gunfire has finally stopped. Those who have survived the slaughter described the creatures that attacked them to be human-like in origin, just horribly mutated, very aggressive, and nearly invincible. Their only weakness seems to be shooting off their limbs.
Commanders Log #041 July 11th, 2565
The creatures have started breaking out in all the decks, slaughtering anyone in sight. I have noticed that those exposed to the Marker do not get attacked, so I exposed myself to the Marker in hopes of being able to survive. I am now going to barricade myself in the bridge and drop a S.O.S. beacon. If anyone finds this message, get off of the ship, immediately.
For the last time.
As Rarity finished up with the Commanders Log, she got up out of the chair and looked at Timothy, who was shaking heavily.
"Timothy, are you-"
"Stay away from me!" He shouted, picking up a nearby chair and swinging it at Rarity. Rarity was able to get a single, high pitched scream before the chair made contact with her head, which collapsed under the sheer force of the impact.
"Rarity!" Nova and Backdraft shouted in unison upon hearing Rarity's scream. Backdraft loaded a fresh magazine into his battle rifle and aimed it at Timothy, who was holding a blood covered chair while standing over the body of Rarity. He dropped the chair and pulled out his magnum, aiming it at Backdraft and fired off a few shots. Backdraft dove behind a tipped over desk and fired a unaimed bursts back. Nova charged up, her DMR raised in the air, and fired one shot into Timothy's head. He went limp, a waterfall of blood flowing out of the bullet wound.
"Now we're even." Nova stated, cracking a smirk. Backdraft allowed himself to smile, but he stopped when he heard something moving in the vents.
"We need to go!" Backdraft said, pulling Nova along as the two ran out of the bridge.
The U.N.S.C. Destroyer Equis exited slipspace about three kilometers away from the Nightingale and the Equestria . Earlier today, the Equestria sent out a S.O.S. signal, saying they were under attack by strange, alien creatures, that were slaughtering ponies and humans alike without mercy. Shortly after they contacted the Equis , the bridge was overrun and the crew was slaughtered. Naturally, the Equis was keeping its distance.
"Lieutenant, how many do we still have alive?" Luna asked.
"Ma'am, there is only four troops that are not flat lining." A crewman replied.
"What about Braeburn's squad?" Luna asked.
"Nova and Backdraft are still in the fight, ma'am. The others are down." He replied.
"Contact them." Luna ordered.
"Yes ma'am."
"Nova, watch out!" Backdraft called out. Nova looked up and saw a necromorph lunging at her. She rolled to the left, narrowly dodging one of its claws, and blew off its legs with her shotgun. She fired another blast into the necromorphs abdomen. Another necromorph jumped out of a nearby vent, tackling Nova. Backdraft raised his battle rifle and fired a few quick bursts, blowing off its arms. It toppled over onto the ground, as Nova rose up and finished it off with a blast from her shotgun.
"Nova, this is Luna, do you read me?!" Nova heard Luna ask from her helmet radio.
"Princess?! It's good to hear your voice, ma'am!" Nova replied.
"Cut the shit, Nova! What is your situation?" Luna asked.
"Situation is fubar, ma'am. We have lost the majority of our squad, and we are being chased by hundreds of aggressive creatures."
"Understood, I'm sending in Spartan Aqua Team for an extract, over?"
"Got it. Tell them to be extremely cautious. These things took out the entire crew."
"They took out the Equestria too." Luna said solemnly. After a short pause, she spoke again. "Don't worry, Aqua knows what they are doing."
"Let's go, team!" Sweetie Belle ordered, snatching up a couple SMG's and placing her helmet over her head.
"Right behind you." Applebloom said, picking up her shotgun and loading a few shells into it.
Scootaloo picked up her LWC and tossed a shotgun to Surprise, who caught it with a huge smile on her face.
"What's the deal, Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked.
"We've got a ship that has been overran by extremely aggressive hostiles, and we still have ponies inside. So we're extracting them." Sweetie Belle stated.
"That's it? No complicated plans or anything?" Firefly asked, loading a magazine into her LWC.
"That's it." Sweetie Belle repeated. She clipped the two SMG's to her sides and trotted out of the room, the rest of the team behind her.
"Alright, Nova, Aqua Team is on their way. I am marking your extract point on your HUD. You have half an hour to get to the extract point, or they will leave without you." Luna's voice said over the COM. "I know you guys can do this, just get it done."
"You've got it, your highness." Nova said, switching off her radio. She checked her HUD, seeing that the extract point was marked as Hanger C. "Alright Draft, we need to double time it to Hanger C. Let's move."
"Wait Nova, I'm running low on ammo. Could we take a detour to the armory?" Backdraft asked.
Nova pulled up a holomap of the Nightingale. The armory appeared to be only a short distance away from them. Nova nodded to Backdraft. "Sure, Sergeant." She said.
"Alpha team, do you read me?" Luna asked.
"Princess... er, Captain Luna, is that you?." A males voice responded.
"This is she. Alpha, what is your status?"
"I-It's only me and somepony else that's left. Everypony else is dead."
"How are you two holding up?"
"Badly. W-we... we have no means of escape, and the hostiles aren't letting up... dear Celestia, they are breaking through!" Shortly after, Luna could hear the screams of the two survivors as they were literally ripped apart by the necromorphs. She cursed to herself and threw aside her headset. 'At least I got somepony out...' Luna thought to herself.
"Door's locked." Nova muttered. She felt a hoof tap her shoulder as she turned around to see Backdraft holding a det charge in his hooves.
"Took it off Pinkie. Thought it might help." He said, handing it to Nova. She cracked a smile and set up the det charge. They ran back behind a wall as Nova readied the detonator.
"Clear!" She declared as she flipped the switch. The two blast door were flung down the hall by the force of the explosion. The floor seemed to make a squishing sound as they walked inside of the armory. The two ponies looked down at the ground, which was covered in weird, brown biomass.
"What is this stuff?" Backdraft asked.
"I don't know, but it's grossing me out." Nova responded.
"I couldn't agree more." Backdraft said. Suddenly, they noticed a glowing, red orb floating towards them. Both of them raised their weapons as it stopped in front of them.
"Greetings!" It began, "I am 2401 Penitent Tangent. I am the Monitor of Installation 05."
"Installation 05?" Both Backdraft and Nova asked in unison.
"Yes, one of the seven installations. You might know them as Halo rings."
"Hay... low?" Backdraft asked, confused.
"Yes. My makers made these installations to wipe out the flood."
"Are these necromorphs the flood?" Nova asked.
"No. The necromorphs and the flood are two different creatures, though both are serious threats. The necromorphs are said to have wiped out the Precursors, and have caused massive damage against my makers."
Before either of the ponies could say another word, the floor started to shake, knocking both of the ponies to the floor. Backdraft got up and helped Nova up off the floor. The Monitor looked off into the dark hallway.
"Oh my..." It muttered in a concerned tone.
"What is it?" Nova asked.
Before the Monitor could respond, a large, muscular necromorph charged into the armory, nearly trampling the two ponies.
"What is that thing?!" Backdraft asked the Moniter.
"It is an advanced form of necromorph only known as a "brute". It is very dangerous." The Monitor stated.
"Good enough for me!" Nova declared as she walked up towards the brute, firing her shotgun as she went. However, the necromorph seemed to only absorb the buckshot, as it charged forward and rammed into Nova, sending her flying into a wall.
"How do I stop this thing?!" Backdraft demanded.
"Aim for the glowing biomass!" The Moniter replied. Backdraft nodded and picked up a nearby assault rifle, unloading on the brute. The rounds tore through the brutes yellow flesh, as one of its arms fell off and it collapse to the ground. Backdraft quickly charged up and bucked the yellow biomass with all his strength, ripping through its arm. He then pulled out a frag and tossed it at the Brute. He rolled away as the frag exploded, killing the necromorph.
"An interesting note, for future reference, is that glowing biomass typically marks a weakness." The Monitor stated.
"Yeah, I'll remember that." Backdraft muttered as he trotted over to Nova, who was attempting to get up. "Woah, easy now!" He said as he helped her off the floor, supporting her. "You've got a broken wing and possibly a fractured ankle. You are in no shape to move."
"But we need to... go on without me..." Nova muttered.
"That's not going to happen." Backdraft stated, before turning on his radio. "Luna, do you read me, over?"
"I read you, Sergeant. What is your status?" Luna asked.
"We've ran in a bit of a complication. Nova is injured, and she is in no shape to be moved. Aqua Team is going to have to come in here and get us, or we are royally screwed."
"Alright... just stay at your current location. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am." Backdraft said as he switched off his radio. He picked up Nova and carried her over to a nearby chair, placing her in it. "We're going to wait here for an evac. Why don't you lay low while I hold off the necromorphs."
"But-" She began.
"No buts. If someone is going to survive this, it's going to be you. Even if I fail, the Spartan's will be here soon, and they will save you... wish me luck." Backdraft said as he gave her a gentle hug and walked away, picking up a nearby flamethrower as he walked towards the entrance of the armory.
The pelican hovered in Hanger C, wear a horde of necromorphs were waiting. The pelican flipped around as the pelican bay door opened, revealing Applebloom carrying a missile pod. She opened fire on the horde, explosions soon blanketing the horde. The team of Spartans soon jumped down onto the floor below them, quickly mowing down the survivors of the horde.
"Sweetie Belle, this is Luna. Can you hear me?" Luna requested.
"That's affirmative, Captain. What do you need?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"There has been a change in plans. Nova is injured, and we need you guys to go in and save their plots. They are waiting for you in the armory." Luna stated.
"You've got it, Captain." Sweetie Belle replied.
"Remember, take out the limbs." Luna reminded the Spartan.
"Thanks Captain, we won't fail you." Sweetie Belle said, switching off her radio. "Alright girls, change in plans. Surprise,
"What's with the change in plans, boss?" Scootaloo asked.
"One of the ponies we were supposed to pick up got injured, and they barricaded themselves inside the armory. Luna wants us to go in and save them." Sweetie Belle replied.
"Sounds fun, let's go." Scootaloo said as the three Spartans galloped away.
"Sweetie Belle, this is Luna, could you have your team switch on your helmet mounted camera's?" Luna asked. "Command and I wish to see how bad the situation really is."
"No problem, Captain." Sweetie Belle replied. Seconds later, five images appeared on the main screen. Luna gasped in shock at the horrifying images in front of her. The hallways the Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo were walking through were covered in blood and were filled with the remains of the crew. A necromorph came charging out of the darkness, shrieking as it ran. The Spartans quickly mowed it down, its blood peppering the hallway. Luna's eyes soon fell upon the screens of Surprise and Firefly, who had just finished setting up a pair of M247H's and were now mowing down a swarm of charging necromorphs.
"Are you getting this, Command?" Luna asked, turning to another screen, where Lord Hood was standing.
"Yes, we are receiving. Once you have all active personal out, you are ordered to destroy both the Equestria and the Nightingale ." Lord Hood stated firmly.
"Yes sir." Luna replied, shooting off a salute.
Sweetie Belle heard a series of chirps as the trio of Spartans walked into the Nightingales cargo bay. They quickly galloped down a flight of stairs and walked into a large room filled with crates and containers. As the trio walked among the sea of containers, the chirps soon became more numerous. Applebloom paused and looked at a container that stuck out, which had "Beware the stalkers" written on it with someones blood. The Spartans soon heard a loud, high pitched shriek as a strange necromorphs charged at the trio at unusually high speeds. Scootaloo shouldered her LWC and aimed down its holographic sight, shooting a few quick bursts at the creature, dismembering and killing it. The Spartans soon heard multiple other shrieks as many other stalkers ran out of the darkness, charging at the Spartans.
"Contacts! Lots of contacts!" Applebloom shrieked.
"Open fire!" Sweetie Belle ordered. The cargo bay soon erupted with gunfire as the three Spartans began mowing down the charging stalkers. But it seemed with every one that fell, three more took its place.
"We need ta get out'a here!" Applebloom called out.
"Agreed! Spartans, move!" Sweetie Belle ordered as she pulled out her grenade launcher and fired a grenade into the swarm of stalkers, resulting a hellish fireball. Scootaloo raised her LWC and fired a grenade from its 40mm grenade launcher into the survivors, killing off the majority of the stalkers. The trio quickly galloped through cargo bay, mowing down any necromorphs in their way. A legless necromorph crawled into front of the Spartans and spat acid at Applebloom, who barely managed to roll out of the way. Sweetie Belle raised her two SMG's and unloaded on the necromorph, dismembering it. Scootaloo quickly loaded another grenade into her underbarrel grenade launcher and fired it into the necromorphs that were massing behind them, which exploded in a large ball of orange flame.
"Over here!" The Spartans heard someone shout. They looked over their left and saw a young colt waving frantically to them. The trio quickly galloped past the colt, who shouldered his rocket launcher and fired two rockets into the necromorphs, killing the majority of them. He tossed it aside and galloped after the Spartans.
"Oh thank Celestia! Spartans! We're saved!" An older mare said as she stood up and walked up to the Spartans and the colt. She handed an assault rifle to the colt and smiled at him, before picking up a DMR that was leaned up against the wall.
"We thought everypony else was dead. We're here to rescue two O.D.S.T.'s that were deployed to investigate."
"As far as we know, everypony else is dead." The colt said. He offered his hoof to Sweetie Belle and cracked a smile. "I'm Isaac Colt. I was an engineer before everything went down the shitter. My friend here is named Carrot Top, she was in charge of our navigation."
Sweetie shook Isaac's hoof. "What happened here, Isaac?"
Isaac sighed and sat down. "I was in engineering when it started. I don't know what started it, but I think it may have been that thing we found... The Marker. At first, things were fine... until some of the crew started losing it. Then, the bodies in morgue mysteriously vanished, and people on the lower decks started going missing. Our Marine forces were sent in to investigate, and they were wiped out by the things. Soon after, they ran rampant throughout the ship, slaughtering everything in sight. Me and Carrot here were just lucky enough to survive."
"Is there more of those things?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Hundreds more... most of the humans were mutated into them. For some strange reason, ponies are immune to infection. Sadly... that doesn't stop them from slaughtering us." Carrot Top muttered.
"No shit! We were barely able to escape back there!" Scootaloo stated.
"Okay, so... where are these O.D.S.T.'s anyways?"
"The main armory." Applebloom said.
"That's the next deck up..." Carrot muttered as she and Isaac exchanged glances.
"What's the problem with the next deck up?" Scootaloo asked.
"That's where the ubermorph is." Isaac stated.
"What is an ubermorph?" Sweetie Belle.
"It is a type of necromorph that has regenerative abilities, so dismemberment will only slow it down." Isaac said. "I can slow it down further by using my stasis on it, but that will only add maybe ten or fifteen seconds to the clock. It's practically invincible."
"There is also many other necromorphs up there. It is one of the most dangerous decks of the Nightingale ." Carrot Top said.
"Well, let's go." Scootaloo said, loading a fresh magazine into her LWC and walking out the room. The other ponies soon followed her.
"Alright guys," Sweetie began as they all entered an elevator, "here's the deal. Carrot Top, Applebloom, I want you two to get point. Scootaloo, I want you covering our flank. Isaac, you're with me in the middle. Let's move."
The elevator doors closed as the elevator quickly rose up a floor. The doors opened and Applebloom tossed a frag through the opening, killing a few waiting necromorphs in hellish firestorm.
"Move!" Sweetie ordered as the ponies filed out, weapons at the ready.
"Cle-" Carrot Top began to call out, before a bat like necromorph tackled her, impaling her through her forehead with its proboscis. Carrot screamed before she began to mutate, her bones snapping out of place, claws and blades replacing her forehooves. Scootaloo raised her LWC and shot off the legs of the now infected Carrot Top, before blowing her head off.
"I thought you said ponies were immune!" Sweetie Belle shouted at Isaac.
"I thought they were!" Isaac shouted back.
"Guys, we don't have time to bicker. We need to move!" Applebloom called out. Isaac and Sweetie Belle glared at each other before nodding.
"Alright, Applebloom, you got point, be careful." Sweetie Belle said. Applebloom nodded and trotted forward, shotgun at the ready. As the ponies continued forward, they heard a loud, shrill shriek coming from the darkness. A small necromorph, evidently what used to be an adolescent, charged at the ponies. Sweetie Belle raised her SMG's and fired two small bursts at it, quickly killing it. More shrieks errupted from the darkness as more them charged forward.
"Pack!" Isaac shouted as he raised his assault rifle. "Open fire! Kill them like you would kill a bugger!" Isaac aimed at the nearest pack member and fired a quick burst, mowing it to the ground. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo raised their weapons, firing in bursts like Isaac, killing the small necromorphs by the dozens. One of them managed to flank them, but Applebloom blew its head off with a blast from her shotgun. As the bodies started piling up, the small necromorphs evidently lost interest and fled. The ponies waited for more them to show up, before moving on a moment later.
"How much further to the armory?" Scootaloo asked Isaac.
"Were close, it should be down the hall..." Isaac said. Down the hall, there was a dim orange glow. As the ponies got closer, they began to smell smoke and burnt flesh. The group rounded the corner to see Backdraft holding off a mass of necromorphs using a flamethrower.
"Let's give him a hoof." Sweetie Belle said as she loaded a fresh clip into each of her SMG's and opened fire, mowing down necromorph after necromorph. Scootaloo raised her LWC and loaded a grenade into its grenade launcher. Backdraft, noticing this, dove behind a wall as Scootaloo shot it in the middle of the swarm, killing the majority of them. Applebloom and Isaac charged forward and mowed down the survivors. Sweetie Belle trotted up to Backdraft, who shot off a salute to the Spartan.
"You okay?" She asked.
"I'll be fine once I'm out of this hellhole." Backdraft muttered. "I'll get Nova." Backdraft ran into the armory, soon returning as he carried an injured Nova.
"Let's get out of he-" Applebloom began, before being interrupted by a loud, enraged roar. The ponies turned around to see a large necromorph walking slowly towards them, its five eyes glowing red in the darkness.
"Ubermorph..." Isaac muttered. "I'll handle it, you guys get out of here. I'll catch up."
"You heard him... let's move." Sweetie Belle said. As she passed by him, she took off her helmet and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you..." She whispered, before placing her helmet back on top of her head. Isaac smiled at her before shouldering his assault rifle, aiming it at the ubermorph. It released a loud, vicious roar as it charged towards the ponies. Isaac opened fire and dismembered each of its limbs. As it fell to the ground, it started writhing as its limbs started regenerated. A blue pulse shot out of a device on Isaac's shoulder, trapping the ubermorph in stasis.
"Go now!" Isaac shouted to the others. They rushed forward as the stasis cancelled out and the ubermorph started regenerating. It soon rose up off the ground, turning to give chase after the ponies, until several rounds from Isaac's assault rifle ripped through it. "Come get some!" Isaac shouted at it. The ubermorph charged at Isaac, as it chased him into the engine room.
"Do you think he's going to be okay?" Scootaloo asked Sweetie Belle as the group entered the elevator.
"Let's hope so..." Sweetie Belle muttered as the elevator door closed as it started to descend.
Isaac backed against a wall and ducked, saving himself from being decapitated. He rolled past the ubermorph, who swung its claw at Isaac, cutting a deep gash down his side. Isaac screamed out in pain and raised his assault rifle, firing a burst into the ubermorph's stomach. He jumped backwards, narrowly dodging a fury of swipes from the ubermorph. It lunged forward, swinging its blade at Isaac. Isaac blocked it with his assault rifle, but the force from the swing knocked the assault rifle out of his hand. It clattered on the floor and slid out of Isaac's reach. Isaac looked behind him, noticing their was only a large rotating fan behind him. He was cornered.
"Come on!" Isaac shouted at it. The ubermorph charged forward, swinging its claws widely in the air. As it closed in on Isaac, he quickly sidestepped to the left and bucked it with all his strength. The ubermorph stumbled backwards from the strength of the blow, suddenly tripping and falling into the fan, which ripped it apart.
"And stay down...." Isaac muttered. He trotted over to where his assault rifle was lying on the ground and picked it up, loading a fresh magazine into it.
"Dead Celestia..." Sweetie Belle muttered as the group walked into Hanger C. The hanger was filled with piles of corpses, with Surprise and Firefly standing proudly over them, weapons at the ready.
"Looks like you guys have been busy!" Scootaloo shouted to them. Firefly shrugged and walked up to them.
"Pelican is waiting and ready to go. Let's hurry." Firefly said. The ponies turned and started trotting towards the pelican, save for one. Sweetie Belle stayed in her place, waiting for something.
"Come on boss, we need to go." Scootaloo said.
"We have to wait for him... I know he is coming." Sweetie Belle said.
"Sweetie Belle... I'm sorry, but he's not coming." Scootaloo muttered, before dragging a struggling Sweetie Belle towards the pelican.
"Hey guys!" They heard a voice shout. They turned and saw a blood covered Isaac limp out of a nearby elevator. "P-planning on leaving without me?" Sweetie Belle ran up to him and hugged him.
"You're hurt." She said, wrapping one of her forelegs around him to support him.
"I'll live. Let's get out of here." Isaac said as the two slowly made their way to the waiting pelican. Scootaloo and Surprise helped them on board, as the pelican bay door closed behind him. The pelican rocketed out of the hanger into space.
"Captain. This is Sweetie Belle. The package is secure." Sweetie Belle said over her helmet radio.
"Roger that. See you in a few." Luna's voice replied, as the U.N.S.C. Equis passed by them, firing its MAC cannons and Archer missiles at the Nightingale and the Equestria.
Backdraft sat next to Nova, who was staring down at the metallic floor. He wrapped one of his forelegs around her and pulled her in for a hug.
"Are you okay, Nova?" He asked.
"I am now...." Nova whispered, snuggling into his chest. Backdraft allowed himself to smile and stroked her mane, as he was overcome by a warmth he felt only with one other filly before.
[Authors note - Well, here we are, at the end of our journey once more. I will be working on Haylo: Boot Camp next, then Haylo: Among the Stars, then Haylo 2.]
The pelican slowly hovered into the hanger and gently landed on the metallic floor. Several squads of Marines ran up and surrounded the pelican, their weapons at the ready. The bay door lowered, as four of the Spartans jumped out. Another Spartan trotted out, supporting an engineer, as well as an O.D.S.T., who was carrying an injured O.D.S.T. A glowing red orb floated out behind them, humming absentmindedly to itself. Several Marines carrying stretchers jogged up to them, as Backdraft and Sweetie Belle gently placed the injured onto them.
"This one looks critical, lots of blood loss." A corpsman stated, looking over Isaac. "We need to hurry!" The Marines quickly ran into an elevator, the doors closing behind them.
"Spartan-053, I need you and your team on the bridge A.S.A.P." Luna's voice boomed over the intercom system.
"You heard the Captain. Let's go." Sweetie Belle said, as she placed her SMG's on a nearby table. The Spartans and Backdraft did the same, taking the magazines out of their firearms and disassembling them. The team began walking out of the hanger, they stopped dead in their tracks when they heard someone shout out.
"Contacts!" A Marine shouted out. The team turned around to see several necromorphs climbing out the pelican. The Marines surrounding it opened fire, literally ripping apart the necromorphs in a matter of seconds. A Marine armed with a flamethrower walked up to the bodies of the necromorphs, burning the remains. It was finally over...
"Good job, Spartans. I'm glad to see everypony got out alive." Luna said, looking over the Spartans. The Spartans shot off a salute to the Captain, which she returned.
"Ma'am," Backdraft began as he stepped forward, holding out a computer chip to Luna, "I found this on Commander Rarity's body. I believe it contains intel on what happened on board the Nightingale."
"Thank you, Sergeant. I'll take that." The Captain said, taking the chip from Backdraft's hoof. "I really hope something like this doesn't happen again."
"You and me both, Captain." Backdraft agreed.
"Alright, you're all dismissed. Get some rest, you all certainly deserved it." Luna said.
The group stood at attention and saluted, trotting out of the bridge. Luna looked over the chip and inserted it in a nearby holodrive. The form of a basic necromorph appeared, nicknamed a slasher. The monitor floated behind her, looking at the green, glowing form.
"We must destroy the Marker!" It exclaimed.
"We did. Nothing could have survived that." Luna stated, moving onto another necromorph, called a puker.
"No! The only known way to destroy a Marker is to expose it to extreme heat, such as a star."
"So you're saying that..."
"Correct. The Marker is still out there."
"I'm sure Command will take care of the problem." Luna stated, sitting down in her chair as she continued to look through the list of necromorphs.
"You alright?" Backdraft asked, sitting in a chair next to Nova's cot.
"I've been better, but thanks for asking." She said smirking.
"How's the wing?" He asked.
"It's still a bit stiff." She replied. The two shared a small laugh, before silence surrounded the two.
"I am glad you made it out okay." Backdraft finally said.
"I certainly don't feel okay." Nova muttered.
"You know what I mean."
Nova smiled to herself and looked into Backdraft's eyes.
"Thanks." Nova said.
"For what?"
"For getting me out of there. You could have left me, but you risked your life to get me out of there. I owe you."
A smile spread across Backdraft's face. "I'll find a way for you to return to favor."
"I already found a way..." Nova whispered.
"And that is?" Backdraft asked.
"This." She said as she pressed her lips against his, wrapping her forelegs around his neck and pulling him in for a deep, passionate kiss. Backdraft succumbed to it, his hooves running through her mane as they continued to kiss. After a few long moments, they separated.
"I think I will need more than that." Backdraft said, winking.
"Oh geez, wait until I am out of here, Casanova." Nova said as a deep blush emanated from her cheeks.
Backdraft stood up and placed his hoof on her shoulder. "I can't wait. Get some rest, okay? I'll be back."
"Bye..." She whispered as he trotted out of the room.
"This is your Captain speaking, we are about to make a slipspace jump. Please secure all loose items immediately, and prepare to enter slipspace. We will be making a blind jump, then return to Earth." Luna's voice boomed over the intercom. Backdraft looked out a nearby window to see a slipstream portal appeared in front of the Equis , as it drifted inside of it. The portal soon closed behind it.
Several Months Later...
"Sire, we found an artifact!" A brute minor called out. The shipmaster rose out of his chair and walked up to the waiting minor.
"Lead me to it." He ordered.
"Yes sire." The minor replied, as the two brutes walked out of the bridge. They walked through the hallways of the cruiser they were inside, making their way into the main hanger, where a large spire covered in red, glowing symbols towered above them.
"The Marker..." The shipmaster muttered. He walked up to it and placed his gigantic hand on it. A series of symbols flashed through his mind as his body started to spasm, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. A few brutes ripped him away from the Marker, causing him to collapse onto the floor. The shipmaster rose up, lifting his gravity hammer above his head and releasing a loud roar at the brutes, before crushing them under his hammer. He took a plasma grenade out of his belt and threw in the middle of a group of grunts, killing all of them. Several brutes raced forward, raising their spikers and plasma rifles, before aiming and firing at the shipmaster. The shipmaster charged forward, his gravity hammer at the ready, and crushed one of the brutes. His power armor failed at that point, as the brutes surrounding him blew him away with a storm of plasma and spikes.
"Take his body away!" The highest ranking of the brutes ordered. A few minors picked up the shipmasters body, walking away. As he walked away from the bloody scene, he swore he saw his mate leaning against the Marker, who had died years earlier from a fever. Little did he know, he wasn't the only one experiencing this.