Ral 'Saverim swung his energy sword as a flood combat form rushed him. The charged plasma blade slashed through the flood, and the creature fell to the ground. More flood charged around the corner, and the small group of unggoy and kig-yar children behind him screamed in terror as the hulking biomass monsters attacked. Ral drew his plasma carbine and opened fire, bringing down the first row of flood. The others backed off as he drew his energy sword again, and slashed through the rest of the flood. "Follow me children!" he shouted, and began to move forward. Ral opened his com channel and turned on his wrist unit. "This is Major Ral 'Saverim of the high charity guards! Requesting immediate assistance in the third tower 19th level! I have children with me! Send assistance immediately!" He turned, slashing through another combat form, and ushered the terrified children into an armory.

A loud beeping issued from Ral's com unit and he opened the channel again. A deep, gruff voice spoke on the other side, "This is Chieftain Rommanus, Jiralhanae honor guard unit 15 to Major 'Saverim. The remainder of my squad is on the third tower, fourth level. Have you changed position?" Ral hit the speech button and responded in a whisper. "Yes, my group is sealed inside of the 19th level armory. I have children with me." Rommanus spoke again, "My unit will be at your position in ten minutes. Just hold out." then the com channel shut out.

A loud bang startled Ral, and two of the youngest children in his group, a pair of female Kig-yar, burst into tears. Ral moved between the children and the door as a something else slammed into the door, denting the metal. An explosion ripped through the hallway outside, and gunfire exploded outside. The door opened and Ral raised his sword. Fortunately, three Jiralhanae honor guard, not floor, entered the room. Ral sheathed his blade and sighed in relief. "Major." the lead Jiralhanae acknowledged him. "Look," Ral addressed the Brute. "I know our species have issues. I personally hate you, and you probably hate me. But right now, we need to work together to get them,"he gestured to the children behind him, "off of this flood infested death trap." The Jiralhanae looked at him in surprise, and then spoke. "You're right Sangheili. Come children. There is a Phantom at the top of the tower." without waiting for a response, he lifted his gravity hammer and advanced.

Rommanus roared with barely suppressed rage. They had fought their way up the tower, flood just behind them, but now the Phantom wouldn't start. Ral looked at his circumstances ally and sighed. "Get the Phantom working, and do not wait for me." He strapped a brute shot on his back, hooked two plasma pistols to his armor, and ignited his plasma sword. "Where are you going 'Saverim?"The Brute Chieftan asked. "To buy you some time." Then the Sangheili stepped down the ramp and charged, rushing into the mass of flood.

Ral roared with anger, clicking his mandibles and lashing out with his energy sword as the flood swarmed him. A combat form lunged at him and he decapitated it with a swipe of his blade. A small infection form began to climb up his leg, and he dropped to one knee, squashing it. Ral spun, drawing his plasma pistols and opening fire into the Flood surrounding him. As he emptied the second pistol, he heard the engines of the Phantom start. He hit the com unit and shouted over the Flood, "Rommanus, if you have the Phantom working, get out of here! I cannot hold them much longer!" "I will honor your sacrifice well, Sangheili. Thank you." Ral swung his energy sword again, bringing down a Pure Form lunging at the Phantom as it took off. A combat form swung it's energy sword, and Ral fell, the blade embedded in his gut. As he fell, he smiled, realizing that the children had escaped. As the Flood swarmed around him, Ral 'Saverim closed his eyes and took his last breath.