An Elites' Promise

Prologue

The burn from the Fuel Rod's plasma was excruciatingly unreal. My armor had been burned, some melted to my skin, while other minor fragments were broken away. My heart raced in my chest as I waited eagerly for the air-locked doors to open.

As the lights flashed green, the cranking of bolts loosening sounded like an orchestra of flutes, playing altogether in a harmonious tone.

I waited not for the door to fully open, shoving my bulky body through the opening just as the sound of air begin to burn, a brilliant green glow illuminating the darkness. The sound soon ceased to exist, the glow dimmed and faded to nothing. I held my breath, the confused and frustrated growls of my enemy just outside the door I hid upon.

Slowly, I began to back away, keeping my gaze to the door in front of me. The massive shadow of the Covenant blocking any light that may have shown through the holes of the door. I took to a crouch, being sure to keep the motion sensors clear of my movement. So far it was working.

I sighed inwardly, all my hopes and dreams of safety probably forever crushed with what happened. The computer monitor to my left suddenly came to life, its bright blue screen quickly lighting up the darkness that kept me safe.

I cursed my luck and fired upon the panels lining the walls. Sparks flew as the bullets from my Magnum broke through the circuit board, a bullet or two ricochet and hit me, the energy shield to my armor sparked but quickly dimmed. I silently thanked the technology of the Covenant, the brain power of the UNSC discovering the secrets to shields that were well hidden.

The computer monitor froze up and blackened, the faint hum of electrical wires frying sounded more like a frag grenade exploding in my face. Fear took me over as I stared with hesitation to my right. The air-lock doors caving in with the violent pounding of the Covenant. The sound of air burning, a green glow, and a loud explosion that shook the small room I'd been in.

I had very little time to spare. I put my Magnum on safety, quickly attaching it to its holster on my leg. I sprint towards the back of the room, waiting with what little patience I had left for the air-locked doors.

Another blast behind me was all it took for me to pry open the door myself. It gave in under the pressure but stuck fast half-way open. "Shit.." I breathed, forcing myself through the small opening again. How I wished the Spartan armor was more slim. Then again, that would probably defeat the purpose of keeping its wearer safe.

I looked around the room aimlessly for somewhere to hide. A small indention to the room caught my eye and I ran to it. I forced myself against the wall just as the door to the other room gave way. My heart nearly stopped with the heavy footsteps of the Coveys. I gulped and licked my dry lips, praying for a miracle.

The large aliens approached slowly to the room I hid in. It was only a matter of time before I'd be found. At least I can say i had no regrets, right? Wrong. there were a great many things I regret doing in my life. And one was letting down the one being who had faith in my existence.

A low-tone, yet familiar, guttural bark sounded from a distance. The shifting of semi-loose armor caught my attention, the thrusters of a jet pack ringing loudly in my ears. I peered around the corner, my eyes wide, my mouth agape.

I stared in disbelief at the black and cyan-colored armor of a Ranger Class Elite. It stood in the familiar posture I knew too well. I shook my head, tears streaming down my face as I stared at the figure before me.

"Asal.." I breathed, the miracle I had asked for couldn't have had any better timing, nor could it be any more perfect.