Ghost Of Reach

Quest Added: A Rock on Heaven
Mission: Escort General Huntseeker to Heaven Rock
Mission Reward: 1000 Gold Del
~M~ Rewards: 300 Multiverse Tokens, 1 Weapon Upgrades, 1 Armor Upgrades, Forerunner Kit Mk1

I’ve cracked the case! I now know the forbidden knowledge! After an hour of literally checking and deducting the information on my TACPAD, I think I have a full understanding of what is truly going on here. I’m now bound by one of the greatest and possibly flawed things in the world.

Game Logic.

That means one of two things to me. One, I am either in a world that has video game mechanics bound to physics itself. Or, I’m not in said universe, but a virtual one, an equivalent to this would be a video game based version of The Matrix. And honestly, both options terrified me. Either I’m in full control in a seemingly gifted wacky universe or I’m not. If not, then it is all just a game monetized and watched over by the alien overlords that captured me. Though the problem with that is as of why they would make my dreams come true?

Either way, how did I come to this conclusion you beautiful alien assholes? Well, the integrated progression system made it kinda obvious. Apparently, the military stockpile worth of weapons was held behind a Paywall. The first type of currency were these things called Credits, granted customization, repair, and purchasing some equipment. The second currency type were these Multiverse Tokens or known simply represented as “ ~M~ ”.

These coins unlocked nearly all of the Equipment such as guns, vehicles, medical, food, and armor upgrades. An example would be when I selected the M6G (or more commonly known as the Magnum), it opened the option to buy it for 20 ~M~ currency. With one unintentional tap later, I now have the M6G Magnum Personal Defence Weapon System with eight rounds magazines. While it was not bottomless clip, at least I have unlimited amount of reloads. So I thank alien goodness that I don’t have to worry about managing my ammo.

As I examined my gun, I instantly recognized that it looked like the Magnum, particularly the gun model from Halo Reach. With the yellow stripe and glow sights, everything matched. Ejecting the mag, I found that the Pistol was chambered in it’s standard 12.7x40mm M225 SAP-HE (Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive) rounds. Inserting the mag back in, I cocked one in the chamber with the strangely satisfying sound of gun’s action. Heh, I guess I am really a gun nut now.

“What is that thing?” Bringing my vision away from the glorious Magnum, my gazed met upon Theek, who seemed just as interested as I was with it. He was currently staring at it while pecking off and eating pieces of an apple.

“This is the M6G Personal Defence Weapon Systems, or just called the Magnum for short. Small, yet powerful pistol for hitting headshots and making quick work with Grunts.”

“Oh… That’s great, but what is it?” I stared at Theek for a moment before snatching the apple out of his talons.

“Hay! I was eating that!” Tossing the apple up, I skillfully quickdraw the Magnum and fired off a shot, obliteration the apple. The entire caravan stopped, covering their ears from the sudden explosion sound.

“This is a compact ranged weapon that has very fast, explosive projectiles that detonates upon impact. See what’s left of that apple? That is what it does to whatever this round hits. Simple enough?” Theek just dumbly nods in amazement.

“You didn’t have to kill my snack.” Theek mumbled under his breath, unaware that I heard him clearly. The guards now figured that the show was over and we continued onwards. Before I fired off that shot, the whole trip had been overall, uneventful. It’s 8:39 AM now and the sun if fully shining over the forest landscape. As we ventured further into wilderness, I think I was the first to noticed that the songs of wildlife fell silent.

“It’s quiet… Too quiet…” Thanks generic griffin guard number 3.

“Don’t worry too much. Most wildlife are usually scared of by sudden, loud noises.” I assured, though that didn’t top their paranoia.

“The wildlife is not what I’m worried about. It’s what lurks nearby when the forest grows silent.” Oh great he thinks we're gonna get ambushed. I mean, who would want to attack us? Oh wait…

“I see. If the sworn are smart, they'll probably strike first by arrow fire in the front and attack from us behind. I suggest we keep a diamond formation around the carriage.” Then outta nowhere, a dozen or so vials are smashed at our feet.

“Or they could just gas us back to world war one. Though I recommend using smoke, it not only confuses and limits vision, but it also splits up and stuns the enemy. While using chemical toxins on the enemy is a very effective tactic, it could just as easily bite you back. In my opinion, using chemical weapons is a very sharp, double edged sword, it can easily strike both ways if not careful. Am I right Theek... Theek?” While I monologue outloud to myself, everyone, including Theek, was knocked out. Thanks to my HUD, I was reassured that they were alive by their status being incapacitated.

“Knockout gas. Clever, but only works well if you know your enemy can’t defend against it. Sadly for you, I am immune to your attack.” I was immediately met with a wine bottle thrown to my face, but thanks to my spartan reflexes, I caught it. Yet somehow, the bottle exploded like a grenade, gushing out whatever chemicals that were crammed in it. After few awkward moments of nothing happening, I left to shaking my head in disappointment.

“Did you not listen to me? That stuff won’t work. Maybe we can settle this like real men?” My suggestion seemed to work this time as bipedal dogs draped in tribal attire emerged from their cover, confusion all over their short bulldog snouts.

“What are you?” One of them asked, though they were not the leader.

“My name is Gabe C137. I am the ghost of the ultimate warrior, a legendary slayer of the Halos, and last spartan of Reach. I assume you are tribal warriors of the Sworn? Answer me.” I announced, smiling at how I dreamed of these kind of moments in the past.

“Uh, yeah, that us-” A smaller, more younger looking dog said, before being smacked my his lager elder.

“You idiot! Your not supposed to answer!” The elder hushly yelled, scolding the smaller one.

“But the white knight already knows!”

“Only because you just told him!”

“You two! Shut up!” A third dog yelled in, leaving his hiding spot behind the large brush. This dog was more physically built, yet had a hilariously smaller head. Though the morningstar he wielded was not something I want to be hit with.

“I show dis fool who he messin’ with.” Now charging, he raised his spiked mace over head with deadly intent. I stood still, waiting till the last moment before taking action. Quickly Holstering my magnum magnetically to my thigh, I drew my Kukri and moved like the world around me was in slow motion. In the span of a second, the dog was disarmed and choking on the blood of his slit open throat.

“All too easy.” My remark brought jaws to drop, shocking the dogs with the sensation with fear.

“Who is next?” I needed say no more as the dogs straight up ran, not even bothering with a ‘get you next time’ remark or anything. Not even a scream, just grouped panic mentality.

“Damn, I guess they aren’t that savage. Well, I’ll give no mercy next time.”As I monologue to myself, I began cleaning my ridiculously sharp blade on some nearby brush, only ending up cutting said brush.

“Damn, I’m way too edgy.” Looking back at the still knocked out group, I let out a long sighed. The realisation that I have to wait until the poison wears off of them. Great.

“Why have we stopped?” Turning my head, the question was from the General himself. Stepping out of his carriage, he stood awake and seemingly unaffected from the previous gas attack.

“The Sworn ambushed, planning to capture us with some bottled knockout gas. Thankfully, my helmet filters out any harmful chemicals, so their plans failed.” Letting out a grunt, Huntseeker stretched his wings while looking down at the diamond dog corpse. Catching his wordless question, I answered.

“Their brute leader challenged me, and the rest ran shortly after his defeat.”

“I see, good work Spartan. Now we must get my guards awake and moving… NO MORE NAPPING YOU HATCHLINGS! NOW GET UP AND WORK LIKE REAL SOLDIERS!” The general’s commanding call seemed to work like magic, the guards hastily getting back into position like all life depended on it. Even Theek stirred from his nap, though much more slowly.

“Come, let’s get a move on! The Sworn will only be scared off for a little while before they come back in full.” The general quickly made a Beeline to the carriage’s back trunk, snatching up a bottle to sooth his strained throat.

“Ah-haa… Now let get a moving. Time is not my ally.”

“Understood.” Sheathing my large knife, I unholstered my Magnum and followed suit with the group, with Theek quickly lagging behind.

“Hay! Wait for me!”