EVAC: 9 hrs 34 minutes

Civilian Population: 11,810

Infected: 3005

Rally point Alpha was going to hell in a handbag. With only three turrets left, each rapidly running out of ammo, and Exilius, Priya, and I each doing our best to keep the majority of the combat forms at bay, we still had only three quarters of the civilians evacuated out of building complex. Luckily the Flood wasn't smart enough to attack the large armored transports that we were using, deemed Olifants due to their similarity to the UNSC Elephant. At least they haven't tried yet.

"Private move that thing now! We have more civies to evac." Nick-047 ordered. A second later, the engines on the massive APC roared to life and the vehicle began slowly moving towards the spaceport, which was serving as the main focal point for Marine defense.

"Curelski and Iza," The Spartan yelled. "Protect the transport while we finish up here. Mongrel and Wolvy help 'em out."

Iza ran up to me and attempted to climb on once again, "looks like we're together again Mr. Pilot."

"Oh joy," I replied, rolling my eyes even though the Jackal couldn't see.

Big Daddy trudged through a pile of spongy corpses as I caught up with the Spartan and Jackal. Here I thought all Spartans were giant human killing machines, she was easily a foot shorter than me outside of Big Daddy. Still, she was a quick little shit, clearly able to keep up with Big Daddy. The other Spartan I recognized as he caught up with Mongrel. He was that one I saved a while back who got stabbed through the chest. Persistent bastard to be out here fighting again. I had to give him some credit I suppose.

"Spartan, Jackal, come over here." I ordered through the speakers as I stomped alongside the Olifant.

"What now Mr. Pilot," Iza asked with a clearly snarky tone.

"Shut up and come here." With an easy move of the right arm I grabbed for Iza's waist.

"What the hell are you grabbing for there?"

"I'm going to pick you up. Would you rather be on the ground with the fucking freaks?"

"Good point." Iza replied as he put his weapon on his back and climbed up onto the arm. Big Daddy barely reached up to the top of the vehicle. With a slight groan I pushed his arm a bit further and gave Iza enough space so that he could crawl onto the top of the Olifant.

"Now for the Spartan," I whispered to myself. Yet she was nowhere to be seen when I turned to look for her. A flash went by the top of my cockpit covering and I looked up to see the tiny black frame moving along Big Daddy's shoulders.

"What the hell are you doing on my mech?" I yelled at her. She just growled and jumped up onto the top of the Olifant as well. Soon afterwards she reached down and helped the other Spartan up onto the vehicle with an outstretched arm.

After placing the two on top of the transport I took up a position walking along the left side of the Olifant. We were relatively safe out in the streets thanks to the wide four lane freeway providing little cover for any Flood. Occasionally we came across a few combat forms hiding behind an abandoned car or truck, but Mongrel made short work of them with the APC's turret.

"Get ready sir," The driver warned through the radio, "we're coming up on another condo."

"Eyes up," I told to the two on top of the vehicle. Sure enough, a few Flood forms began pouring down. Most of them landed in the street where I could stomp or smash them before they got to close. The few that landed on top were either stabbed by Mongrel or shot down by Iza.

Then I saw something new waddle out from behind a building. It looked like a giant bubble with feet and two long fingers poking out the front. Iza screeched something and opened fire on the bubble. It rocked with the first few shots before exploding violently and spewing the small insect flood in a spray of goo.

"Keep your fire on the small ones." I ordered to the two, knowing that they didn't have the protection I did against the infection forms. Another of the exploding Flood waddled onto view and I pointed it out, leading to a hail of machinegun fire tearing it apart along with its contents. To be honest I think it was a good system, I point and they shoot. Meanwhile, I got to stomp all the combat forms that were dumb enough to try and attack. I regret to say it was rather fun squishing the freaks.

Well, it worked for a few minutes at least. Yet it was still only me and Big Daddy. Because of that, the entire right side was left to Feral squad and Iza, who also had to fight off the infection forms or get eaten. Leave it to the Spartans to fuck up, right?

If any of the others had been an avid movie watcher, they would easily have likened it to an old Zombie flick where everyone is trapped in a bus. Surrounded by zombies, check, stuck in a bus, check, final stand, might as well check that one too.

A deafening screech resonated through my armor as the Olifant was brought to a halt. I pushed forwards on the controls and ran around the front of the vehicle. A trio of combat forms opposed me, one firing a shotgun directly into the cockpit covering. Thankfully it didn't do more than leave a few nasty scratches.

"Get the fuck out of here." I groaned to myself. Big Daddy's drill arm flew forwards and tore through the shotgun wielding freak. The others tried to lunge forwards and smash through the glass but I managed to bring both arms together just in time and grab both of them. Each of the Flood forms struggled and squealed as Big Daddy's hand went horizontal and I brought the two fists together. One sickening crack and squish later and I was leaving behind to flattened bodies.

"Mr. Pilot, we need some help here!" Iza screamed.

I turned around the front of the Olifant prepared to make a snide remark, but I couldn't find the words. From what it looked like, one of the exploding forms detonated to close to the treads and cracked one of the rotors. That in turn caused the metal treading to displace and lock up.

"Feral Squad," Nick-047's voice garbled through the radio, "We're moving the final Olifant up now. Where are you?"

"We're trapped in the middle of two condos." I managed to spit out while jamming Big Daddy's drill into a cluster of combat forms, "our 'fant is dead in the water. I don't think I can fix it either."

"Drag it out of there then," the Spartan suggested. Of course, brilliant fucking idea.

"Fuck that. I'm not putting Big Daddy in danger to save some already dead civilians."

There was a moment of silence before the Spartan found the words to say. They weren't very good words at that but I got the gist of what he was saying. "The hell?"

I cleared my throat, which was likely inaudible against the motorized hum of the drill as I tore apart another combat form that was trying to pull my right arm open. "I said fuck no. This Olifant isn't going anywhere. I'm not risking Big Daddy for a lost cause."

"Listen here ki….." I cut the signal before he even began. God damn Spartans think they know everything.

With a quick glance around I saw just how right I was. Even with the last ten or twelve Flood I killed there was no end in sight. I can see where the parasite got its name. There was a wall of greenish yellow flesh hobbling towards the Olifant. Big Daddy's hand swept across the nearest Flood wave, splattering a good four Flood forms as they closed in.

"Jackal, Feral, get the hell out of there. I'll make a path. We're leaving the Olifant." I barked into the local radio, only sending it to the three on top of the transport.

"What the fuck?" Mongrel replied instantly. "We can't just leave them…"

"I'm with Mr. Pilot. Screw these people I'm not gonna die just so they can too." Iza said as he moved to the edge, firing a few rounds at the flood around Big Daddy. I could see the green rounds through my glass covering. The little birdie had some sharp shooting to be honest.

"I'm not leaving the civilians." The female Spartan said as her and Wolvy continued to stay up on the top of the Olifant, firing at the combat and infection forms that climbed onto the top.

"Yes, you are." I replied sternly as Big Daddy's drill tore apart another two freaks.

Mongrel began moving towards the edge, saying a few nasty things about me under her breath I'd imagine. She and Wolvy were now standing next to Iza above me with their guns raining metal down on the Flood horde. Even with their combined gunfire and Big Daddy's relentless smashing we were still hardly even making a dent. Not to mention the other side of the Olifant going through the same treatment.

"Rocket! ROCKET!" Iza screeched as he jumped down off the top and landed on Big Daddy's shoulders once again. Mongrel followed suit and jumped down as well, almost sliding off but catching her foot on the drill motor casing.

Wolvy didn't make it in time. He jumped, but the rocket already struck home. The thick armor on the Olifant held, albeit barely, but it held. The Spartan was sent flying over our heads and landed several yards away from Big Daddy's feet.

"Wolvy! Save him sir, please!" Mongrel hollered as she sat on one shoulder and Iza on the other.

"Again, didn't I already do this once before?" I replied, not turning on the speakers but I had a feeling she heard me.

With a push on the controls Big Daddy lurched forwards and threw a few Flood forms to the ground with his large legs. Walking through the Flood was like a swamp, or apple sauce which was much more fitting considering the color of their skin. Even the mech had a hard time plowing his way through the freakish pool of deformed bodies. I could hear them slamming against the metal armor in an attempt to either climb aboard or reach me through the cockpit.

"Shit…shit shit shit! Ahhhhh!" Even over the growling and wet gurgle the Flood made, I could still hear the Spartan's crying. Big Daddy's drill opened a door in the fleshy wall. I regretted that move instantly.

I'm not normally one to be shaken by gore. Hell I create more of it than practically any other guy out there, except maybe the brutes. Still, seeing Wolvy was different. His legs were missing from the rocket and one of the infection forms was halfway drilled into his chest. Thick red goo was spurting up from the wound, like those aerosol cans you buy at the store, and his face was twisted in pain. I hoped for his sake he was dead.

The infection form drilled the rest of the way into his chest, causing him to arch his back in a painfully absurd way before he began writing on the ground violently.

"Kill him! Kill him now!" Iza yelled into the cockpit.

I didn't hesitate. Big Daddy forced his way through the crowd of Flood and brought up his right hand. A grunt escaped me as I pushed forwards as hard as I could on the controls. The right arm flew down into the ground, smashing Wolvy's body and caused it to explode into a green mist that splattered the now cracked concrete with thick and gooey green sap. It clung to Big Daddy's armor and oozed off his fist. His hand flexed open, causing a web of fleshy matter to span from finger to finger.

Then I heard more screaming. It was a woman this time. I can't believe I heard it through the thick glass covering. I spun Big Daddy around to face to Olifant. Sure enough, there it was. Another flood bubble exploded near the back of the transport and forced the back ramp open. Flood forms of all shapes and sizes were now pouring into the back of the vehicle.

To my right, the final rally point and the direction I was supposed to be dragging the Olifant, and my left, a whole mess of hostiles. Seems the Flood wised up and went for the easy prey as there was now much less congestion in the streets, making it easy for Big Daddy to pick up the speed into a jog rather than trudging through the soupy flood mass. With a push on the controls, the mech began bouncing along, Mongrel and Iza sitting on the top.

The Jackal didn't have any quirky remarks this time. Only a sigh as we headed for the spaceport down the road. Rally Point Charlie, the final stop in this crazy train.