Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

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October 20, 2552

The Covenant found Earth. The war is being lost, but hope is not lost. As the events where Spartans cannot turn the tide, they are assisted by a specialized Elite unit known as ODSTs.....This story is untold by one ODST who meets others who endure the war.

The UNSC Marathon cruiser class, named UNSC Say my Name, has many ODSTs talking to each other to consider what is happening. They heard that the Covenant forces had broken through the line. They heard that Malta and Athens were destroyed, but Cairo had held since a covenant bomb was delivered back to the covenant. Among the squads were no other than the Kyushu, Kansai, Hokkoiko, Paris, and New York squads. Each of them had fought the war for a long time, and some had even fought at the beginning of the war.  Among them, they are talking about the situation at hand. They were seeing that group of three ODSTs, Mickey, Dutch, and Romeo, were talking about how the Navy put up a fight.

"Those guys would have seen it worse," Roark said. He is the Hokkoiko squad's explosive engineer. He was once a human miner who mined the asteroids, especially from Elvie. He lost his home to the Covenant during the 2530s. He signed the UNSC Marine corps but his scores led him to become an ODST.

"Everything is relevant. It's no reason to see what we can do." Gardenia said. They have known each other since Gardenia is the squad's combat medic who can patch up the squad without needing to be combat ineffective. There was something to consider; other members have seen it worse. She is from the Walden colony, which is known as a superterran garden world until the Covenant came to burn it down. 

"Hey, it can't be that bad. After all, this is Earth. It's humanity's home. We have to defend our ancestors' homeworld." Candice said. They nodded to her words. It was a fact that their ancestors came from that world, which their descendants left to find new homes in the stars.

It was not until they heard a door open to reveal ODST going by the name Edward Buck with an ONI agent wearing ODST armor named Captain Veronica Dare, although there was another ONI Agent named Looker. He is a captain as well. They look what was happening, but they noticed that Romeo was putting the moves on Captain Dare.

"I bet ten credits he gets slapped in the face," Roark said. He was not alone since his father, Byron, is here, who is part of Roark's team to deal with charges and explosives. Byron is aware that trying to flirt with an officer of either gender was a big no-no.

"Make it 20 credits for court martial," Bryon said. They heard from Buck about to get into the pods now. It was the signal for everyone to get ready for the drop. They gathered their weapons since the bet was a draw, since there was no slap in the face or court martial. 

While everyone else is getting ready for a combat drop, Looker is watching both Edward Buck and Veronica Dare. He is part of ONI, but he is aware that other ONI agents are elsewhere. It is noted that his role as liaison with Dare is vital for the success of the secret mission that they do not know.

"Replacements?" Dare asked. She is looking at the ODSTs, especially members of the Hokiko squad. Looker knows that there have been depleted ODSTs over the years, especially since the lottery draft was used, but the surplus squads problem has worked, especially since they allow them to join the ODSTs on their own choice. 

"This many years into the war? Who isn't?" Buck said. It is noted that those who survived were wounded so many times that they lost count. Those who were killed in combat were another story. They have to gather the best they can to keep fighting.

"Well, we are going to need all the help we can get for this mission, Gunnery Sergeant Buck," Looker said. He is aware that the war has not going well. It is getting desperate since Operation Red Flag has been adjusted, but the odds have been dimmer than before.

"At least they listen," Dare said. She wants those to listen to orders in terms of how they will take the mission. It considers how valuable to the war effort. Buck does acknowledge that ONI and ODSTS do not have a healthy relationship about this.

"To me. And they're not gonna like what they hear." Buck said. He knows these guys are not easy to win over due to the secrets and the poor performance of military intelligence by ONI themselves. It is most difficult when they are losing so badly.

"Orders are Orders," Dare said. She is committed to the mission that ONI wanted her to do. It is something that only Looker and Dare knew what their orders were. It is classified in nature. Those orders are not meant for everyone to know about.

"All in due time, Gunnery Sergeant Buck," Looker said. He goes to the weaponry rack to pick a weapon for himself while he leaves both Dare and Buck to talk about the importance of the mission, and she asks Buck where to sit. He heard from Romeo regarding her armor. Looker wears the ONI-style ODST armor. He sees the Hokiko squad is double-checking their gear, especially their visors.  

During this time, Volker, the squad's tech specialist, who heard a loud thud in the head of ODST named the Rookie. They never heard of the Rookie before, but he is what he is. They see them as their fellow ODST who have a nature of being sleepy all the time.

"They are rough with the new guy," Volkner said. He is from New Constantinople which he lost his colony as it was sacked and glassed in 2539. He is known for using tech with some delusions to get into a good fight, especially when he wanted to fight a Sangheili or a Jiralhanae. He was getting sick of fighting Unggoy and Kig-yar.

"Relax, you get your chance against Elites. Besides, those guys always put up a good fight. Tell you what. I would spare some of them for you to have your wish." Crasher Wake said. He was a professional wrestler in the Inner colonies before the war, where he signed up once he knew that he had to serve his duty as an UNSC Marine before being selected as an ODST.

"Thanks, I am getting tired of killing all of those grunts and jackals. It's just endless and not the same when you fight an elite or brute." Volkner said with a sigh. He knew that the Covenant had an endless supply of Unggoy, even numerous Kig-Yar. It was too easy for him to take out. He hated their endless waves of them since they don't offer him a challenge.

"If you do meet one, then you'd better pray that I would try to cause misdirection to save your thick hide," Fantina said. Fantina is from a French enclave from Paris IV whom lost her planet when it was glassed in the year 2549. She has a strange ability to cause clever deception to appear out of nowhere.

"Those guys are very tough to beat. I would imagine energy swords are lethal in close range. But I would rather stay alive for our next meal. It's not easy to survive on rations. If we do make it alive, then I would like a first-class meal." Maylene said. She is from the Chi Rho system. She is from the lower socioeconomic ladder back in her planet due to her father being a gambling addict until he was killed in a Covenant glassing attack on the planet in 2535. She signed up for the UNSC Marines but was later picked for ODST. She found that it was a better life than being in poverty.

They heard the alarms to prepare for combat drop as they heard that other squads were in their pods and ready to go. They are heading to New Mombasa, where they are directing the Covenant super carrier over the city. It was their objective to land on it.

"Alright, let's do this." Looker said over the video coms. It was something that Rookie in his pod to over heard that they are seeing tether of the New Momasa Orbital Elevator. It was something that the Rookie was ready to do. Below them, it was a simple ship called In Amber Clad has pelicans coming to park in the hangar. The drop pods were coming to the Covenant Super Carrier until they witnessed the slipspace opens which created a crater, resulting in numerous pods going haywire as they saw in Amber Clad, followed and entered the portal.  The numerous squad pods are going around to scatter around the city, leading to everything going black. The Rookie is in his pod after hearing the coms regarding the carrier is making the jump and EMP, even to use the chutes until........it was too late. Everyone went black....

Chapter Text

The blackness of his eyes...his consciousness was starting to be awakened. He is slowly opening his eyes as his mind is rushing to wonder what has happened to him. It was like a bad nightmare he had. It was something he wished not to experience again.

"Man, what happened?" Rookie thought to himself. He sees static interference in his visor. He can see multiple racks in his pod's windows. He can see two Covenant phantoms flying in the background. They passed by, which made him feel relieved.

"That was too close. Now, I must get these doors out of the way." Rookie thought to himself as he activated four explosive bolts to release his pod, but found himself on the edge of a short building. He can scan the area to see that he is about fifteen feet high from his pod to the ground.

"Oh boy. Alright, I can do this. No big deal. I dealt with worse heights like....wait a minute, are those three other pods nearby?" Rookie thought to himself as he saw the three other pods nearby, but those individuals got out. Rookie decided to jump down and link up with them to find his squad. He can see them with their own unit designations. The three others see him and run up to him. 

"Hey, you there. Are you okay?" Brock said. He was not alone as he was accompanied by Misty and Erika of the Kanto squad. Rookie nodded his head, and Erika double-checked his vitals with green signals. They decided to rest up before they do the inventory check.

"How long have we been knocked out?" Misty wondered. She has been wondering how long they were out cold after their combat drop. Rookie did wonder the same since it was daytime when they were dropped, but it is nighttime. It must take place hours after the drop.

"It is not different from when we were before. However, the city must be hit hard by the slipspace jump from the Covenant supercarrier. If there are survivors, they must join whatever forces in the area to repel Covenant forces." Erika said. She considered looking for the others to rejoin and what their mission should be. She looked at the Rookie as the Rookie just shrugged.

"We can't stay here for long. I think we got company." Brock said. He heard a noise coming from the street as they took cover. Brock peeked out to see Jiralhanae and a group of Unggoys, but something was not right. Normally, Sangheili should be common, except this time they are not. 

"I spot a group. Brutes leading grunts. No Elites...yet." Brock said. Erika signals to the group as she plans their attack. She suggests Brock and Rookie take point to take out the Unggoy while she and Misty can take on the Jiralhanae. They understood. They break as the Rookie and Brock use their M7S SMGs to take out the Unggoy while Misty and Erika stay hidden. Jiralhanae firing his brute spikers at Brock and the Rookie until he ran out of ammo.

"Now!" Erika shouted as both Misty and Erika jumped out to overwhelm the Jiralhanae. Misty finished the Jiralhanae by aiming at the head after the Jiralhanae's armor was broken. The Unggoy panicked as both Brock and Rookie finished them off.

"Good luck, everyone," Erika said. It was not over for them since they had to find the others, but Rookie heard a phone ringing. He goes to the phone, where others follow. They did not know what it was until Rookie picked up the phone.

Hello, there. I'm NM/EAP/9845890-1244....You may call me Superintendent. You're ODSTs....Let me be your assistant. I will lock out enemy forces the best I can while I upload the map to your VISR navigation databases. If you need additional ammo or rest, there will be spots on your HUDs to find where it is.

Rookie sees his VISR as a map , just like others. They can see there are certain beacons in the area. The four do acknowledge this as they sat on the ground where palm trees are located. They are wondering which beacon could be and the best way to travel. They ponder for a moment, as they know that Covenant forces would arrive at any moment. It is a matter of where to go, the nearest one to be located.

"It's not very simple. But is it the best course of action?" Erika said. She looks at Rookie as he looks to the sky to wonder how they prepare for the incoming Covenant forces. It is not that Rookie was acting dumb, but rather that he thinks the best course of action would be. Rookie turned his head to Erika as he signaled to her to move to the nearest beacon.

"I hope that Rookie knows where to go," Misty said. She checks her ammo, but is aware that they have limited ammo, especially their pistol rounds. Brock, behind his visor, is aware of their situation. He is aware, as he took out his photo of a woman who is wearing a medical outfit.

"Whatever we do, we have to stay alive. Rookie, you can lead us the way." Brock said. Brock put his photo of his loved one. Rookie nodded as they followed behind him. They can see the city is raining at night. They can see the neon lights of New Mombasa were eerie and silent. There is fires, but not burning brightly. There was something in the area that felt uneasy for them. There was occasionally thunder and lightning. They kept walking as Rookie took point to aim his SMG with his tactical VISR in night vision mode. They found covenant patrols in the streets, but they evaded them since they could not fight them all. 

They gave them the slip as they continued to press on without being caught. They reached the Tayari Plaza, where they took out Unggoy and Kig-Yar along the way. They check the rooms, which are all clear inside the building. It was empty besides Covenant forces. It was not until they checked the area that the Rookie found a helmet. It was a Recon helmet embedded in a montier. He removes it from the screen.

"What is it?" Erika said. Erika, Brock, and Misty gathered around the Rookie. Rookie shows the helmet to everyone. They were confused about who belonged, but there was something that might belong to them. They thought for a moment to make viable guesses.

"It seems not a standard ODST helmet. It looks experimental." Misty said. She takes the helmet from the Rookie whom willing to hand it over to Misty. She inspects the helmet to see that it is broken indeed. She passes it along to Brock whom inspects it very closely.

"I heard about these recon helmets. It was part of the Mjolnir system, but it has been given a specialized variant known as S-1 ONI Recon, which only ONI agents can wear. I know one member has it. Bruno. He was once a member of the Kanto squad before transferring to ONI." Brock explained. Brock gives back the helmet to the Rookie as he holds it carefully.

"So, someone from ONI was with us in the drop?" Erika asked. There is thunder is heard about a few miles away from them. It was something as if it was ominous to begin with. It was something they never seen before until they heard something from their HUDs.

MOTOR-VEHCILE CRASH! SEARCHING N.M.P.D DATABASE...NO MATCH! LOST-AND-FOUND ITEM!

Rookie came to the window as everyone else followed him, as they were wondering what the Rookie was thinking.  The Rookie does remember about someone from ONI has came with them during the drop. He did give thought to what happened.

"You're going to tell us her name, Gunny?" Romeo said, which Rookie knew who said that, as he was curious about who is the new person was. He was sleeping, but he was known to listen while sleeping. He tends to be a heavy sleeper, but does gain knowledge.

"Ms. Naval Intelligence. Our new boss," Buck said. He wanted them to know why it sounded like a bad thing since there were bad relations between ONI and ODSTs. Spartans are one thing since Spartans report to ONI and do not fit with command unless they are assigned to a Naval command structure. 

"Oh, brother..." Crespo said. It was more of an annoyance that their boss is from ONI, which meant they are going on a wild goose chase that has nothing to do with the war effort, unless it does. It was mere moments before he was woken up by Romeo at the time.

"So check your mouths, find your chairs...And get set for a combat drop!" Buck said. It was that moment that he was woken up in his pod, in which they are ready to go on their mission to do battle with the Covenant. That was way before the drop went horribly wrong. He had his theories on what happened to begin with.

Chapter Text

The Superintendent's camera saw two S0IVS drops in, but one deflects while the other crashed. The pod was no other than Buck as the Superintendent made a sad face. It detected six other S0IVs was coming down alongside the crashed one. The Superintendent wonders what is going to happen next.

"Squad, what's your status? You still with me, Buck? I lost contact with Looker." Dare said over the coms. It appeared that Buck is alive, but he is in a pickle at the moment. He can hear her over the coms. It seems that the mission is not yet over. There is a mission that they have to do.

"Yeah...Give me a sec." Buck said as he gathered his thoughts. It was not going to be easy since he had to get out of his pod before something bad happened. There is something in his mind to consider if she came out okay, as her pod is working as usual.

"I hit pretty hard. My hatch won't open. How about yours?" Dare said over the coms. It was something really bad. Buck was able to open his hatch, and he fell out of the pod. He sees six other ODSTs nearby. He does seem to recognize their insignia. He noticed they were speaking a particular dialect.

"Ugh! Works Great," Buck said as he kept looking at them. He can spot one wearing a smiling cow symbol on ODST's helmet. One has a ghost-like decal on his helmet. He has a funny feeling about them, but he knows that they are getting their weapons.

"Right. When you get done fooling around. I could use some help." Dare said over the coms. Buck knew what Dare was going to ask him to become her errand boy. He does not trust ONI, but a job is a job. It has to be so important that it is not worth sharing the information.

"Did I...do something wrong? Because the only thing I regret about you and me? Not knowing you were a spook when we first met. I would've been a lost, less charming." Buck said with a regrettable tone. It was something that Veroncia was an ONI agent to begin with.

"That's what I miss most about you, Buck. The way your mouth was always a little faster than your brain. Look, don't start about my job. We both agreed to end it." Dare said over the coms. Bucks inspected his pod, where he found his assault rifle.

"That was years ago, Veronica. I'm a little fuzzy on the details. You must have met a lot of other spas since then. Why pick me for this Safari?" Buck said as he got his assault rifle, but it was stuck. He struggled for a bit until he got it out. Then he sees the six are coming at him, but he sees that they are coming at him.

"First, you're the best soldier I know, and second...You really don't remember... That Night? What you asked me in the morning?" Dare asked over the coms. The six other ODSTs said nothing as they figured that Buck was making a moment. One ODST with a hawk symbol on his helmet points to the sky to see a phantom flying overhead as Buck looks up.

"I remember not getting an answer..." Buck said as he loaded up his assault rifle. The other six give signals to each other to prepare for a formation as the Phantom is about to drop off Jiralhanae, Unggoy, and Kig-yar. Buck is relieved that he is not alone.

"Say Again, Buck? You're breaking up." Dare said over the coms. Buck knew that he and others were going to have to fight their way out of this. Buck knew that it was now or never since he had to reach her pod. It seems highly necessary to do so.

"I said stay put! I'm on my way." Buck said. He signals to the six ODSTs to provide him with cover fire. They nodded in agreement. They followed him as they were about to engage the Covenant. Three of them have their silencer SMGs, two have shotguns, and one has an assault rifle. 

"We missed our LZ. This grid is packed with Covenant. Be Careful." Dare said over the coms. It was indeed a missed opportunity to land on the supercarrier, but luckily, it was heard that a lone frigate known as In Amber Clad chased it into the unknown.

"I appreciate the concern," Buck said as he cocks his assault rifle. He knew that he and the other six were going to fight their way out of the Covenant group appear before them. The Jiralhanae and Unggoy prepare for combat. Luckily, no Sangheili so far meant it would be easy pickings.

"Won't be much of a rescue if you're dead," Dare said over the coms. It was something that Buck and the other six managed to cut down the Covenant group very well. It was now time to gather up for everyone to know who is who in the area.

"So, it's been long. Hasn't it, Kansai squad?" Buck said. All of them nodded, whose name tags are no other than Falkner, the air specialist who is also a Pelican pilot, Bugsy, the tech specialist, Whitney, the heavy weapons specialist with a girly flare, Morty, the Electronic warfare specialist, Chuck, the Breacher of the squad, and Jasmine, the engineer and tech support.

"Yea, Reach wasn't it?" Falkner said. He has been aware of Buck since the days of war. It was something that they fought in the streets of New Alexandria. The last time it was with two Spartans: Noble Six and Gold-721. They huddle around.

"We're not the only ones who managed to get here alive," Whitney said. She is aware that their situation seems perilous, but they can hold out and complete the mission. They heard that recently, the Covenant has been bringing more and more ships to the fight.

"Nevertheless, what's our position?" Buck said. Bugsy contracts the Superintendent, who is glad to show the map of the entire city. It was something that they could work on. Bugsy scans the map with careful analysis of each building where Veroncia Dare would be located.

"It seems that certain builds are open. We should use it to our advantage to outflank the Covenant." Bugsy said. They ponder for a moment. They can use the high ground. Falkner has a sniper rifle ready to go since he can aim down his scope well.

"Alright, let's keep moving," Buck said. They agreed that they should proceed into the buildings. Morty took point until he spotted something was not right. Morty took a closer look at the scene. He could not believe his own eyes.

"Everyone, come here!" Morty shouted. Everyone followed his voice until they discovered that both Sangheili and Jiralhanae were killed. It did not look like the work of the UNSC. It was something else. A lot of plasma burns. Something was not right. 

"Elites and Brutes killed? Someone must hog all the fun." Chuck said with disappointment. He inspects the bodies to find that it is not the case. It was too messy to begin with. Whitney notices this as well. There was something bound to happen.

"What the hell happened here?" Buck asked. It was not until long after that that Covenant forces appeared on the scene. The Kansai Squad and Buck take up their positions to clear out the Covenant forces. They did clear out two Covenant lance units, but what makes it more odd is that hardly no Sangheili in their ranks. It was something too odd. They defeated them until they press on to find more both Sangheili and Jiralhane corpses. Something was off. That's when Buck makes the call.

"Veronica, what's with all the dead Elites?" Buck asked. He waits for her response. Jasmine, who leans down to check on the Sangheili. She noticed that something was not right. Within her steel resolve, she felt pity for the Sangheili who was killed in combat.

"What do you mean?" Dare said over the coms. Buck stands there while the Kansai makes a defensive perimeter. Buck inspects the corpses to notice that something is not right to begin with. He takes a closer look to see that it appears to be a big fight between them.

"It's like a family feud, like they were killed by Brutes. Is there something I should know?" Buck asked. He noticed that there was no way for the Covenant to turn on each other after waging war for twenty-seven years. It must be some sort of trick.

"It's classified." Dare said over the coms. The Kansai squad felt the same as Buck is thinking at the moment. It was always classified when it was very inconvenient. It was always frustrating when comes to secrets. That's the nature of ONI was.

"Ah, some things never change," Buck said. Whitney uses her finger to signal to Buck that the sort of ONI is. An organization full of too many secrets and nutcases. In fact, she disdains ONI the most, except for a particular ONI Security agent who has her interest.

"Well, we've got to keep moving," Falker said as they pressed on. It was not long before they checked around the corner to see that the deployable lookout tower. There is a bunch of Kig-yar and Unggoy gathered around the tower. Buck knew he was going to be late.

"Got a little Jackal problem!" Buck said. He signals to the others as they move in. He makes a hand signal to wait until he is ready to take them out. Whitney and Chuck are close, but not enough to lure them into close range. Falker takes up a sniper position. Bugsy, Morty, and Jasmine take up position to provide cover.

"An overcharged plasma pistol shot will neutralize their shields,  should also take down a Brute's armor." Dare said over the coms. It was simply that obvious, but Buck knew that. It was something that he should take note as well. He signals them to open fire upon them.

"Oh, yeah? Where were you a minute ago?" Buck said. He fires his assault rifle while backed by Falkner's sniping on Kig-yar while others are assisting him to push into the defensive positions. It was quick, short work on the Kig-yar and the Unggoy.

"Still trapped inside my pod." Dare said over the coms. It was an irritated tone. She does not seem to be happy about it. That is the issue when Dare has a major problem. It was not until a pair of Mgalekolo appear which Whitney took out her rocket launcher. She made short work of them. Buck signals them to continue pressing on into the building. It was S0EIV pod owned by Dare herself. They cleared out of the Covenant forces, which they got there just in time.

"Arrgh! I'm here...I got ya... Aw, nuts." Buck said. He did open the pod to reveal it was too late. The Kansai squad felt that they had come here for nothing. It was just basically a ruse from Dare to dragged into a wild goose chase. It was something.

"So much for that," Whitney whined. It was not until Whitney yelped to see the Huragok appear. Buck was surprised by this, even it was holding Dare's helmet in one of its tentacles. It was not until the sniper rifle went off, killing the Engineer. It was Romeo who was alongside another ODST squad that goes by Kysuhu Squad. They waved at Buck. It was not until the Huragok exploded that the helmet flew into the sky to launch through a window.

"Hey, Romeo! You got your ears on?" Buck said as he took off his helmet. Romeo and the New York squad arrived. Its members reveal themselves to be triplets known as Cilan, Chili, and Cress, alongside Lenora, Burgh, Elesa, Clay, Brycen, Drayden, and Iris. Iris is the youngest ODST member in the New York Squad. The Kansai squad heard about them. They were the ones who were assaulted by the other spire in the Battle of the Viery region on Reach. 

"Oh, I get it. Permission to speak, Smart ass." Buck said. He has no time for his games, especially what he needs to hear from him. It was something that he had to hear from him to make a difference. There was something to what he said.

"No, I don't know what it was, but it was going grease your ass good. Just like it did, the Captain." Romeo said. Lenora checks the scattered pieces of the Huragok's armor. It was something that they might have seen before. Jasmine checks the armor as well.

"Yea. Maybe. You heard from Mickey? Dutch?" Buck said as he investigated a piece of the Huragok's armor. He found that Dare's stomach armor plate was attached to it, stuck in a wall. It was something he feared the most. But he has a feeling that she is alive.

"Negative. Except for the New York Squad, they have been helpful. They know what to do. The Iris one is very energetic despite her enthusiasm." Romeo said. Iris gives a thumbs-up with her assault rifle in hand. Drayden checks the armor piece that caught his attention.

"The Rookie? We need to get above this crap, link up with the bee-net. One of our drones must have seen where they hit." Buck asked. He was hoping that their new guy was doing alright, despite Rookie having combat experience. Romeo shook his head when asked.

"So, we're poppin' smoke on the lady's mission? She ever tell you what she wanted?" Romeo asked. Buck does not consider that option right now. It was basically that they had to get out of the city alive. It was a matter of time before they might come back.

"No..never. Doesn't matter. All I care about now is getting everyone out of this city. Even you." Buck said. He knew that he had to get everyone, even the New York and Kansai squads, to get out of the city alive. He puts his helmet back on. It was something that he had achieved his goals. The city is still on fire, but there will be incoming covenant forces to arrive. A mission to finish.

Chapter Text

Rookie is just standing by the window as he taps the broken Recon helmet. He continues to tap the recon helmet for a few moments. Brock, Misty, and Erika are checking their ammo and med packs. Misty looks at Rookie with concerned thoughts about the situation.

"So, what's next?" Misty wondered. Rookie puts the damaged recon helmet down. He peers out of the window to see where to go. Brock finishes counting his ammo. It is not much, but the group must keep moving forward. Rookie spots several advertisement panels as he points it to Misty. Misty walks up to the Rookie and sees the sign that says KEEP RIGHT!

"You think that the Superintendent is guiding us?" Brock asked. Rookie turned his helmet towards Brock with a nod. He trusts that the Superintendent is pointing in the right direction. They pick up a static nosie. They check the radio who it is.

"This is Lt. Surge. I'm cut off. Any UNSC Survivors. I was cut off from the rest of the platoon. My entire platoon was wiped out. I require assistance over." Lt. Surge's voice said over the coms. It sounded bad. This required attention from the group. They proceed to head out without a second thought. They proceed to Sector 8. They taken cover from the damaged wreck vehicles. They are watching Jiralhanae Captain is hoding the explosive charge for a Huragok while two Jiralhane minors are struggling to held the Huragok.

"Look!" Brock said as he the Huraok is being against its well. It was no a sight to see how the Covenant are treating their members as if they were expendable. They can see that the Covenant as ideology was more corrupt especially how they view on lives.

"Arrgh! Hold the Creature still!" Jiralhanae Captain said. The Huragok is screaming in pain as it struggles to break free of the Jiralhanae grip. It did not want the charges to its self. That was a barbaric practice in nature. It was something that the ODSTs can see.

"Poor Engineer." Erika whispered, but Brock, Misty, and Rookie heard her. It was not until that the JIralhanae managed to hold the Huragok but they are losing their grip. It was not easy as it looks while the tenacles are flailing around to break free.

"Place the charge, before I lose my grip!" Jiralhanae minor said. The JIralhanae captina forcefully inserts the charge into the HUragok's explosive amor. The Huragok gave a wail that sounded like a ghost wailing. It was very high pitched that the ODST closed their ears.

"It's armed!" Jiralhanae Minor said. It was simply to use them suicide bombers against any UNSC forces in the area. It was simply to delay them long as they can to do what they have came here for. The strategy for them is put to an effect.

"And ready to explode, in case any huma c omes too close! Let it roam! Let it do the Prophets' work" Jiralhanae Captain said. He grins with the idea that any human tries to save it would end up being dead. It was too perfect to make it work. It was something they are proud of their achivement. The Jiralhanae minors released it while it roams the skies.

"So, they are using them to cause destruction among our ranks." Misty said. She can see in her VISIR that the Huragok is roaming around aimingless. They can see that the three Jiralhanae are blocking their path. It was not going to be easy since the Captain are tought than they look. It was not until Jiralanae minor was struck by sniper round. The Jiralhanae were shocked by this. 

"Where it did come from?" Jiralhanae Captain said. This gave Misty, Brock, Erika, and Rookie to move while not being detected by the two Jiralhanae. It was perfect cover. The floating Huragok was struck by the sniper round causing to explode. This gave opportunity for them attack the Jiralhanae Minor while the sniper rounds struck the captain at ease. The firefight ended with them alive while they see in the distancce where someone is waving at them. That person went down and heading towards them.

"So, you're survivors?" Lt. Surge asked. He sees that there is only four ODSTs presented. Lt. Surge is from California due to his accent. It seems that he has to do what ODSTS he can work with. Lucky for him, the helmets they are wearing have a auto-translation.

"Just us, sir. We barely woke up after a long sleep." Brock said. It was the truth that they did woke up recently to concluded that their stituation is bascially what it is. It has been a long time to consider what did happen was basically the aftermath of the slipspace rupture.

"Well, it seems we are all what's left then. Any suggestions?" Lt. Surge asked. Rookie looked around, but he sees something. He runs towards the object. Lt. Surge was confused but they all followed Rookie. Rookie sees what it was a Optics package.

"A drone?" Erika asked. Rookie inspects the Drone damaged optics as a way to confirmed that something did occured in the area. It was common knowledged the unmanned drones were most common equipment for the entirely of the war. It helped to even the odds in the battlefield in information, tactical, strategic, and operational awareness. They even had drones perform combat roles to prevent further losses. But the drone losses was extremely high same with their human operators.

"You think that there is clues within the damaged drone?" Lt. Surge asked. Rookie can continue to inspect the drone, but wondering what it could be. Then he realizes that it could meant. It is a matter what did really happen to begin with.

"You heard from Mickey? Dutch?" Buck said in a form of a flashback voice. It was when Buck rejoined with Romeo back in the previous area that Rookie, Misty, Brock, and Erika were in. A memory of somewhat but Rookie was not there to witness. It is merely speculation on Rookie's part.

"Negative" Romeo said via flashback memory. Rookie could speculate, but his coms are broken meaning he cannot tell the Lt. Surge on what he could think what happen. It was merely on what they assumed could happen. He wished he can only knew what lies before them.

"We need to get above this crap, link up with the bee-net. One of our drones must have seen where they hit." Buck said via flashback memory. Rookie can only imaged that he could theorize on what happen rather to making assumptions to begin with. There is something within the Uplift Reserve.

Chapter Text

30 minutes after the Drop

The sunny rays shine across the Uplift nature reserve. There is a combat ambience of gunfire, plasma, needlers, and explosions. Two things are flying in the sky. It is two F-99 Wombat drones. They are looking over the field. One of them is eyeing the SOEIV on the beach. An ODST is walking away from it.  That ODST is named Dutch. He is a religious man who endured the cruel aspects of the war.

"Good hunting, boys..." Dutch said. He scans the two drones. He hopes that they can do their jobs. There is something as well. It is noted that Drones and other robotics have been used, but they could not deploy them in combat due to the Covenant's heavy use of EMP weaponry.

"I'm keepin' my boots on the ground," Dutch said after he put on his helmet and polarizing it. He unlimbers his Spartan laser and read its. He heads up to the hill where a group of ODSTs is taking cover in an overturned Warthog. They are taking fire from Covenant infantry. There is mortar fire from several Wraith tanks, which overshot them as a group of warthogs engaged the Covenant forces. One of the ODSTs spotted Dutch coming up.

"Trooper, over! Help us secure this vechicle!" ODST said. Dutch comes alongside them. It was two of them against Covenant Lance, led by Jiralahane. Dutch noticed that they were speaking a different language. They did manage to clear out the Covenant Lance.

"Thanks for the assist, trooper! Get this Warthog movin', our CO needs us to clear this sector." ODST with an older voice said. Dutch and two ODST are trying to flip the warthog over, but it is very heavy to begin with. It would take time to flip it over.

"Hey, I noticed you are speaking a different language. What unit are you guys from?" Dutch asked. The warthog finally got on its fours. The wheel is skit in the ground. It is locked and loaded by the looks of it. The two ODSTs look at Dutch.

"I'm Norman. Sergeant Gunnery. This is Wattson. He's a Sergeant Major. We are from the Kyushu Sqaud from the 81st Battalion." Norman said. Dutch learned about the various ODST battalions that tend to have varied ethnic groups, such as the 19th Shock Battalion, which was full of Hungarian ancestry from Earth and Reach. They are the most legendary who fought against the Covenant since the beginning of the war.

"You guys are Japanese, I presume." Dutch guessed. They both nodded to confirm that is the fact to begin with. They know what is at stake, especially Japan, which would be the next target for the Covenant. They have to defend their homeland with their lives.

"Well, we pretty much get moving. Mount up! You got a Spartan laser. We can use it against these wraiths. You think of handling Wattson's driving?" Norman said. Dutch is ready to blast any Covenant ground vehicles as well. He grins under his visor.

"Affirmative," Dutch said. They mount up. Wattson takes the driving role, Norman takes the turret, and Dutch takes the passenger seat. They are joining with other Warthogs and engaging in combat against Wraith, Choppers, and ghosts.

"Watch that Chopper! Hit it head-on, and it'll tear us to pieces." A female voice ODST said over the coms. Dutch noticed it was a woman's voice. He has heard of female ODSTs, but it is not uncommon to see them in combat. ODSTs are neutral when it comes to genders when everyone can fight in combat.

"Keep movin'! Don't let that Wraith take a shot at us!" another female ODST said over the coms. She was holding the turret steady as she was firing the Vulcan rounds against the Wraith's frontal armor. It appears to be ineffective, but it can tear Covenant armor.

"Swing behind the Wraith! It's got less armor in the back!" Another male ODST voice said over the coms. They did defeat the Wraith before Phantom appeared out of nowhere to drop off more reinforcements, but they got overwhelmed. The fight was not easy, but they managed to defeat them easily.

"So, you guys are from the Kyushu squad? The ones who survive Reach?" Dutch asked. They announced their names, which were Roxanne, Flannery, and Wallace, over the coms. That is when they have to make a call to the Colonel of the battalion they are in.

"Colonel! Sector's Clear, and we found some backup!" Norman said. It was static at first until the Colonel of the ODST battalion, who is also from Kyushu island. It sounded like a young man who managed to obtain a fast track to the command structure.

"Say again, Marine? I got Drones overhead and ONI brass yelling' in my ear!" Young Colonel said. It sounded like he had a lot of things on his hands. ONI was the last thing on his mind. He shares the same sentiments among his troops regarding the Spooks.

"ODST reporting for duty, sir!" Dutch said over the radio. The colonel sounds relieved that another ODST has appeared on the battlefront. It was necessary to have another one to change the tide of the battle zone. It was something that he could rely upon.

"Nice of you to drop in, trooper. Head through the park to my second platoon's location! They're taking heavy casualties and need immediate assistance." Young Colonel said. It sounded serious by the looks of it. It is needed to save the second platoon before they get wiped out.

"Roger that, I'm Oscar Mike." Dutch complied. He has to save his fellow forces from being destroyed. Earth is the final planet they have left. They do not know about other colonies that went radio silent. It is all that they have left to preserve much of the human race.

"Where's the rest of your team, trooper?" Young Colonel said over the coms. Dutch sighed to realize that he was the only one left in his team. He does not know where the others went. He thinks either they are missing, killed, wounded, or worse, captured by the Covenant.

"Scattered, dead. I don't know." Dutch said. It is the only possible explanation to consider the possibility. All he can hope if they are alive, then he would reunite with them and continue what they have to do. The mission comes up to consider what they have to do.

"That's too bad. I'm Colonel Steven Stone. I'm the colonel of the 81st battalion. We're gonna need all the men we can get. Over and out." Steven said. He hopes that the Dutch will help out his battalion get out of the trouble they are in. It was necessary for all deckhands.

"Copy that, Colonel," Dutch said. The two warthogs proceed to head out to find more members of the Kyushu squad, who are holding out against the Unggoy, Kig-Yar, and Jiralhanae Pack, augmented by a fuel rod gun-wielding Unggoy heavy near a Covenant watchtower. 

"Watch out!" One of the ODST members of the Kyushu squad said. They dodged the incoming fire from Ghosts and stafing Banshees. The other ODST is very close to taking time to fire back against the Covenant forces. Several shade turrets and more choppers are making a heavy defensive position on the hill.

"They are strongly fortified." Another ODST member of the Kyushu squad said. It was highly synced with other ODST as if they were twins to begin with. It was something that they were facing a strong Covenant defense, but it was not a big deal to handle it.

"This is not back on Harvest," Wattson shouted on the radio. They are clearing out Covenant forces as they go. There were close calls, but they managed to push on. Dutch was good at aiming his Spartan laser to clear out of certain defensive positions.

"Stand firm! Don't let the humans breach our lines!" Jiralhanae major said. Dutch and members of the Kyushu square are making great progress to break their lines, while they often whine and curse in Japanese. Dutch was learning that their cursing was beyond his knowledge of how they spoke. Once they broke those lines, the Jiralhanae major decided to bug out.

"Warn the Chieftain! The Enemy has breached our lines!" Another Jiralhanae Major shouted. A Jiralhane hops on the ghost to set out to warn their Chieftian about their situation at hand. Norman spots the escaping Ghost, which they have to prevent it to call for more reinforcements.

"Kill that Ghost! Before it raises the alarm!" Norman shouted in the comms. Dutch aims his Spartan laser against the running ghost. He barely misses it, but it destroys the ghost to prevent the Jiralhanae from getting away from the battlefield to call for help.

"Trooper, you're almost at second platoon's location. Give 'em a hand and push to the primary objective!" Colonel Steven Stone ordered over the comms. He is glad that they are heading to relieve Second Platoon, but they have orders.

"What is the objective, Colonel Steven Stone?" Dutch asked. He wanted to know the goals of their forces. It has to be strategic and practical for them. It was something that they had to do. The military objective was vital to their success in saving humanity. 

"You know the Covenant carrier that slipped away from the city? We need to secure its old LZ. Snatch a Tier One asset." Colonel Steven Stone said. It was something that Dutch recalled that Veroncia Dare talked about something like that. 

"Copy that," Dutch said. They found that Second Platoon was under heavy fire from Wraiths, Shade turrets, other vehicles, and infantry. It was the remaining members of the Kyushu Squad whom they knew were something they knew, while the previous ODST members they met were Liz and Tate.  

"Trooper, this is Brawly of Kyushu Squad. I'm with Second Platoon! See what you can do about those Wraiths!" Brawly said. They roll out to proceed to clear out the enemy position. It was not an easy fight as they had to clear out the Wraiths.

"Where's Colonel Steven Stone?" Dutch asked. He was wondering if he was one of those colonels who fought in the front lines or one of those colonels who stayed with high command back in the rear of the lines. He hoped that was the case to begin with.

"He's near the Covenant LZ! Once we clear this enemy armor, we can roll across the bridge to his location." Brawly said. They began to fight against the formidable Covenant forces in the area. They did notice something strange about the Covenant. Normally, they would executed brillant tactical methods that Sangheili perfected, but the Jiralhanae on the other was something else. They are more numerous but lack proper tactical coordination, acting as each wanted the glory in battle. They were able to clear them out.

"Dutch, we are heading to the space elevator, it'll lead us to the bridge," Norman said over the coms. They proceed to the space elevator. It is weakened from the slipspace rupture, which implodes in different sections and collapses, sending debris flying for miles.

"Look, the elevator! Incoming!!!" Flannery shouted as part of the elevator crashed into the building Dutch and Kyushu squad were driving to. They did not get hit by the flying debris. The slipspace managed to cause major destruction to it.

"What the hell just happened?" Dutch said as he saw the destruction before him. It was terror in his eyes to see how simple a space elevator, when broken, can cause so much destruction over this region. It was merely unfathomable to consider what makes it difficult to understand.

"Slipspace rupture! Must have weakened the support rings." Roxanne said over the coms. They are merely getting a glimpse of what it is. They reach the other side of the bridge to find a Phantom flying away while landing in a zone with chains of engineers slung underneath it.

"All units, target assets are on the move. Everyone, clear the area before more debris comes down." Colonel Steven said while he coughed between the sentences. Over the radio, they can hear that other marines are getting the colonel out of the area before more of them are killed.

"Colonel? Sir?" Norman asked. He hoped that Colonel Steven Stone was alright, but he could hear that their colonel was alive and well. It was something that they could be relieved about, but what they heard was something so horrible that it could have been a lot worse.

"I'm alright. But not my command staff. They didn't make it. Give them hell, Kyushu squad!" Colonel Steven Stone said as he gave them the clear signal that they will not let Earth fall as long as they drew breath. They proceed to head out where they have to clear out Covenant forces in the area. That is when they reach the top of the hill to find a Jiralhanae War Chieftain and a large force of Covenant infantry backed up by Huragoks near the Chieftain. 

"Let no humans escape, to say what they have seen!" Jiralhanae War Chieftain said. They initiate combat against the Kyushu squad and Dutch. It was not an easy fight since the Huragok made shields around the Jiralhanae Chiefain, but they managed to take them out very easily, although it was a tough fight.

"I found a hole in the wall, Dutch. Hang on to something!" Wattson shouted over the coms while others followed suit. It was a floor-it moment where a group of four warthogs was coming off the cliffs. It was something that fit the insanity to the situation. Once they hit the street below, bouncing once, leading all three, Wattons, Dutch, and Norman to hit the ground as their helmets fell off. They see that others hit the ground as well.

"Uh, Lord? I didn't train to be a pilot. Tell me I don't have any more flying to do today?" Dutch asked. Then they witness a Drone fighter crash into a monument. It was very odd for them today. They grabbed their helmets after the drone crashed.

"So...was that a yes or a no?" Dutch wondered. They all see their vehicles that they were riding before. They saw that it exploded beforehand. They were safe because they had hit the ground before. Wattson sighed as they knew that they had to make payments and a lot of paperwork to do if they survived this.

"Amen to that," Dutch said. He is glad that he saw a photo on the ground. It appeared to be a teenage boy with red eyes. That's when Dutch looked up to see that Norman was frantic to look for it. He called him if he was looking for this.

"Oh, thank you," Norman said with relief in his words. The others gather their helmets as they put their helmets on. They are ready to head out to finish what they have to do. Dutch is wondering if that was his son, a family relative, or something.

"Meaning to ask. Who is in the photo?" Dutch wondered. Norman puts on his helmet. He looks at Dutch for a moment about his question. He takes a look at the photo. He sighed, wondering why he was in the fight to begin with. He takes a short breath.

"That's my son. Ruby. He is in the UNSC Marine Corps. Volunteered out of High School. He wanted to be with someone he loves. Sapphire. She and Ruby were once....it was my fault for what happened." Norman said. It was a terrible history that he remembered.

"Your son? What happened on that day?" Dutch wondered. The other ODSTs gathered as they knew what Norman was about to say. They remember too well thirteen years ago. It was something they acknowledged about what happened. That was to say what considerations should be.

"It was on Boundary thirteen years ago. Our squad was tasked to protect an ONI scientist. He had a daughter named Sapphire. They were five years old. I let them wander out into the woods. They were attacked by Zealot. Elite. I saved my son, but his daughter was fine. It was she who froze when it happened. I managed to kill it. Yet I stabbed it over and over. My primal instinct as a father kicked in. I kept stabbing it. Even my nightmares. Ruby was scarred by an energy sword. I sent him back home, same with Sapphire, as her father sent her back to Nagasaki. When the draft came, Sapphire was picked, but not my son. He volunteered." Normans said.

"You fear that your son is out there?" Dutch asked. Norman looks down at the ground. It was something that he wished that Ruby were safe as a garrison marine or working behind the lines. Anything but the frontlines, he hoped that he was aiming for.

"Yes, but I'm worried about him. My wife is waiting in Nagasaki. She fears about him every day." Norman said. He is aware that Ruby has been sending letters and making video calls about him being on Reach. He heard when Reach fell, but he was told that his son managed to survive the fall of Reach.

"Hey, don't worry. You can see your kid one day. Let's focus on the task at hand." Dutch said as he placed his hand on Norman's shoulder. The Kyushu squad agreed with the Dutch that one day, the war would end and family reunions would occur. It is merely a hope that Norman hopes for.

Chapter Text

In the rainy conditions of the streets of New Mombasa, Lt. Surge, Brock, Misty, Erika, and the Rookie are inspecting a piece of a drone. Rookie drops the optics package with a dull thud. Rookie looks at Lt. Surge. Lt. Surge is pondering what to do next.

"So, our drone must have been shot down by Covenant forces. No matter. We must delay no further. We should..." Lt. Surge said until Rookie taps his helmet. He has information to give him. Lt. Surge got the updated map information in his HUD.

"You think there is another clue ahead of us?" Misty asked. Rookie nodded to confirm that it is the case. Everyone is looking at the map in their HUD. They are aware of one thing. There are Covenant forces in the area. This meant either sneaking around them or engaging them out of necessity. 

"Well, we can't stay here any longer than needed. The Superintendent has given us the supply centers for us to restock and continue our mission." Brock said. He is aware of the surroundings as a heavy specialist of the ground. They all head out and find a supply area. Rookie got more ammo for his silenced SMG and pistol. Lt. Surge took the sniper rifle as he jammed a fresh magazine. Brock got a new Spartan laser and assault rifle rounds. Erika got the medical packs with additional pistol rounds.  Misty got more ammo for her silenced SMG and pistol rounds as well. 

"We are armed and ready to go," Misty said. They proceed to head out into the rainy streets. The rain wouldn't slow them down because they were wearing their ODST armor, which kept them dry. They heard thunder in the distance. They proceed to their next objective.

"Alright, according to the Rookie's information, we should be heading to the Kizingo Boulevard. It might be crawling with Covenant, but if we work together. Then nothing to worry about it." Lt. Surge debriefed. He checks ahead with his sniper rifle. He spots a group of covenant lances occupying the Kizingo Boulevard. 

"Misty, do you wonder what happened to your sisters in the moment?" Erika asked. Misty looks at Erika with concern. She has a memory of what happened many years before. It was something that she felt was very stupid to begin with, as years flashed before her.

Year 2547

The Kasumi household in Tokyo has not been easy since Misty turned seventeen years old. She volunteered for the UNSC Marine Corps. This has led to her and her sisters, Sakura, Ayame, and Botan. They all feared that the war had not gone well. They are all worried that their little sister might not come back.

"I'm leaving, and that's it. I got permission from Dad. You won't stop me from leaving." Misty said with fiery motivation. She is eager to make a difference in the war. The sisters look at each other to wonder if that's the case.  There is something else.

"But Misty, who will take care of mom and dad if we are focusing on our careers?" Lily said. She is an Oxford alumna who brought up a good point about who stays behind to take care of their parents. Misty looks at her with her blue eyes, which she inherited from her Italian mother.

"Lily, all you do is look pretty in the cameras. Two of you have been wasting your time with your careers.  Being performers, actresses, and models. I want to contribute to society." Misty said. She wanted to make a difference because for all her seventeen years in life, she was nothing for them to contribute.

"Misty, it's just that we cannot take care of mom and dad, unlike you do. You're the most capable person we know." Sakura said. Misty was not buying it. She lifts her duffel bag. She is not staying because they want her to. She made her choice to head out for basic.

"Sakura, I am leaving. There's nothing you can do to stop me." Misty said. Violet steps up to try to plead with her to consider Misty's choice. It was something. They are trying to appeal to her regarding their stituation they are in. That is, the rain and thunder began to pour in.

"Misty, don't do this! I heard from a friend who lost her father on the frontlines. Listen to me, the war is going to take you. You're the only one who helps us to endure the rations. There are plenty of others to fight. Besides, they started to announce the Spartans. They can defeat them without you." Violet said. She hoped that Misty wouldn't able to do it.

"Violet, I don't care. Even with the Spartans, I want to do my duty as UNSC Marine. It's my only way to protect mom and Dad. It is what I must do that is right." Misty said. She is not backing down in her decision to volunteer for military service.

"We can't let you do that. If you get yourself killed, mom and dad would be heartbroken." Lily pleaded. Misty was not having none of them. MIsty heads out of the door and slams it. Leaving her three sisters standing there left them unable to accept the fact that they might no see her again.

Present moment

Misty remembered the last time that she saw them. She called her parents, but she refused to speak with her sisters because for those years they call her a runt, tomboy, and useless in their world. She wanted to make a difference in her life. She wanted to contribute to humanity. She was not it for the glory or paycheck. She was in it to prove her own worth. That is when Rookie tapped her shoulder.

"Everything is fine. It's just...I was bit too harsh on my sisters. I'm worried if they are okay especially since the Covenant are here, I have to fight more harder than usual." Misty said. Rookie looks at her but he grabs her hand as a suggestion to consider that they will be okay. Misty smiled behind her visor. She finds the Rookie to be intiguing but mysterious at the same time. She had met him before back when she was Marine saved by him even she considered he inspired her to push harder and smarter even got her into the ODSTs. Rookie is eight years older than her, but she she sees him as a mentor to her in some ways. Rookie points to her that they have to engage the covenant in the area.

They move out. Lt. Surge made a plan. He will take sniper overview while Brock takes out the heavy gear of the Covenant, while Misty and Rookie engage their infantry. Erika would provide support to patch them up if they get hit. There was no other option to sneak around since they covered all areas. Both Rookie and Misty start out with Rookie taking down Unggoy with his Silenced SMG while Misty is covering his left flank. Lt. Surge began to snipe the JIralhanae with carefully accurate shots, but noticed the Kig-Yar snipers were present. Brock managed to take down a Jiralhanae Chieftain with a Spartan laser. It felt like an hour, but the firefight ended about ten minutes. They never felt that they had to endure such combat scenarios.

"That's the last of them. Let's keep moving." Lt. Surge said over the coms. Rookie spotted something in the distance. He sees a Gauss Turret. He runs towards it with Misty following him. The others followed suit. It was something they understood that, despite Rookie not being a verbal man, he has his own way to talk with others. They reach to the ruined Gauss turret.

"It seems that it was taken out of action for a while," Brock said. He wondered about the state of the turret is really is. He inspects the turret is not functional. It is one of the useful pieces of hardware for the UNSC. It has been placed on Warthogs, even though it can defeat armor.

"What do you think happened here?" Lt. Surge asked. Rookie pulls himself up to the ruined Gauss turret. He looks through the damaged electronic scope, down to the plaza below. He remembered what his fellow ODST, Dutch could remember as he can picture it.

"Where's the rest of your team, trooper?" Colonel Steven Stone said over the coms in a form of flash back. It was a question for Dutch to bring out the status of his team. Rookie could stated that he is alive, but for the others he may not know what happen.

"Scattered, dead, I don't know." Dutch said in a form of a flashback. It was something he feared that they are lost, dead, or worse. He could not believe that he might be the only one who feared the worse could happen to them. Rookie could wonder as they could think at the time.

"That's too bad. We're gonna need all the men we can get!" Steven Stone said over the coms via flashback. It was something that Rookie could imagine on what happen in the Kizingo Boulevard. There was only mere speculation regarding the events could take place.

Chapter Text

90 minutes after drop

There are explosions heard in the streets. There are Covenant vehicles nearby, but UNSC forces are deploying their armor to defeat the Covenant armor forces. Mickey is moving alongside the nearby ODST squad known as the Hokkaido Squad. They see the Scorpion Tank is backing up at high speed.

"Hey! Where's the fight at?" Mickey asked. He is wondering where the action is being located. They heard the constant gunfire, explosions, and the plasma rounds. It is not only that plasma is there, but also needlers. One of the ODSTs named Byron, who is known for his specialist role in the anti-armor role.

"Take a guess, genius!" Bryon said. He pointed to the Wraith tank coming into view. It fired upon them as they took cover from the blast. The explosion from the Wraith's mortar round makes a barrel hit Mickey in the head. It was a slight bump as well.

"Ah. Son of a bitch!" Mickey said. The Hokkaido squad is taking position, taking cover under a building. The wave of Unggoy, Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, and Yanme's are trying to swarm the streets. A female ODST with an off-shoulder scarf using her M7S SMG on a group of Unggoy. Another female ODST who is wearing a royal purple paint in her armor plates with an ornate helmet visor with intimidation tech as she is carrying a M90 shotgun. 

"Wanna live? Then you get your ass out of the street!" Byron said. He signals to the group to fall back. Someone got the signal but took down Jiralhanae with his M7S at close. He has electric blue accents with a Tesla visor. He was about to get hit by Jiralhanae Major's spiker until a short female ODST with an M90 shotgun at point-blank range. 

"Wait for me!" Mickey said. He gets on the tank. He got the engine started while everyone else knew that they had to protect the tank from incoming infantry and hidden Covenant armor forces. They knew that urban combat would be very tight for tanks, but they would check every corner. Mickey manages to score the destruction of a ghost and two wraiths.

"Ah, good work, trooper! Covenant's been rollin' us back block by block. Every Marine in the city is headed for a rally point near the Naval Intelligence building. You oughta come with us." Fantina said. She got the information from their commanding officer, who goes by the codename Cynthia.

"Sure, as long as I get to drive the tank!" Mickey said. The Hokkaido squad, following the tanks, even takes point as Mickey drives it steadily without rushing because they expect what is ahead of them. They are making their way through the streets to engage more Covenant troopers. More coming to a plaza.

"We got a squad of Marines pinned down, far corner in the next plama. It's packed with COvenant, trooper, so once you come in, don't stop moving." Fantina said. She signals to the group to push on.  She signals to Maylene and Candice to take point while Roark and Byron stay with the tank, just in case it needs repairs, while she takes a sniper position to take out Jiralhanae as her orante helmet visor shines.

"It's about time. Everyone pile on, we're pushin' to the rally point!" Volkner said. He turned his Tesla visor helmet to take down another Jiralhanae minor with his pistol round. He has been waiting to take on bigger, tougher opponents for the entirety of the war. He was disappointed with no Sangheili in the fight, but Jiralhanae are good enough for him.

"I spotted a whole column of hostile armor headed in that direction," Gardenia said as she used her binoculars. They did save the group of Marines, but they knew that they would have to face them head-on. The ODSts knew what they had to do. Roark gathered his explosive charges to make way.

"Don't worry, this ODST we got- he's an artist with high explosives," Bryon said. He has trust in his son, who is known to mine asteroids with him. It was not an easy job, but he did the best regarding how the said explosions were executed. Roark hands signals that the charges are ready to set. They waited for them to come until Roark activated them, leading several wraiths to be exploded while Mickey picked off the survivors. 

"Troopers, head through the doors to Kizingo Boulevard, the fastest way to the rally point! Placin' a beacon on the door, let's move troopers!" Casher Wake said. He continues to guide the group to another plaza, where they defeated them rather well.

"Troopers, door's unlocked, roll on through. We will back you up." Roark said. Mickey drives onto the boulevard as the squad and Marine squad are entering the area. They see two Gauss turrets, but one is disabled. They see a group of ODSTs present with another Marine squad.

"Gauss turret's hot, ready to fire!" Marine said, but it is a panicky tone. He sounded young, but it sounded not as a fully trained, more like fresh out of boot camp. They don't want to fire yet until it is the right time and moment. It is not going to be easy.

"Relax, Marine, wait till they're in the kill zone!" Dutch said. He is presented with the Kyushu squad. They are aware of the situation. They link up with the Hokkaido squad. Hokkiado squad has taken their positions, especially Bryon and Roark, who have their rocket launcher ready. They wait for them to gather in the kill zone. Fantina noticed that the young marine is not composed of himself.

"Ghosts! They'll see me for sure, I-I gotta take the shot!" Panicky Marine said. He is getting anxious about the incoming ghost. He is worried about being spotted. Norman looks at the panicky Marine who is not holding himself together.

"I said, hold your fire! Concentrate on the Wraiths at the end of the -" Dutch was about to finish his words until the panicked Marine fired the Gauss turret. The Wraith notices this and opens fire to launch the plasma mortar into the Gauss turret. Norman witnessed the blast of the plasma mortar kill the poor Marine.

"Ah, hell. Back blast clear, let 'em have it!" Dutch said. He and Mickey, alongside Kyushu and Hokkaido squads, engage the Covenant forces in the area. Norman takes out the Jiralhanae Chiefian while Wattson, Roxanne, Brawly, and Wallace are taking out the Unggoy and Kig-Yar. Flannery and Dutch are using rocket launchers to take out the Covenant tanks and ghosts.

 "Dutch! What are you doing up there?!" Mickey said. He was glad that Dutch was alive and well. He bought backup as well. This evens the odds for them to defeat the Covenant as long as they are losing members. Wounded, sure, but getting killed is a different story.

"I"m outta rockets! Kill that Wraith." Dutch said. A wraith did appear when driving out from behind the building. Mickey used his tank to clear out the Wraith. Mickey dismounts, but the Marines suggest that ODSTs join together while they can, forming a rear guard just in case.

"Okay, dismount, get up to my position. Mickey! Over here!" Dutch said. Mickey and Hokkaido Squad are coming towards Dutch's position. They gather with the Kyushu squad. They had known each other since the Fall of Reach. The Hokkaido squad was assigned to transport employees and executives of Berlitz Family off-world.

"Aw, Crap! Watch the door!" Dutch shouted. They see that Covenant troops pour out. It was not going to plan. They knew that they had a lot of things in their hands. It was about to clear them out. Both Hokkaido and Kyushu squads assisted Dutch and Mickey. They were about to clear out Covenant in the area.

"Phantoms! Everyone, find some cover!" Dutch shouted. They took cover as the Phantoms fired suppression upon them. They drop off reinforcements and a Wraith. It was going to be easy, as they had to take out the Wraith before it could cause damage or kill them.

"We got any heavy weapons for that Wraith?" Mickey said. The only way to destroy the Wraith is simply to destroy it. Dutch used up the last of his rockets; same for Flannery. Maylene and Candice heard this was not going well at all. They both nodded to what they had to do.

"Negative, I'll draw its fire, you try and board it!" Dutch said. Dutch signals to Brawly, Roxanne, and Flannery to give covering fire for Maylene and Candice to assist Mickey.

"I'm firing an overcharged plasma shot at it. Micky! Stick that bastard with grenades!" Candice said as she grabbed a plasma pistol from a dead Unggoy. She charged it up while aiming at the wraith aiming at her, but she managed to disable it. Mickey sticks the plasma grenade to the Wraith's rear engine. Maylene grabs the Unggoy's neck to snap it off in its turret. The wraith tank explodes, and Mickey catches Maylene when she jumps off. Mickey places her down.

"Thanks, you're not as bad as they say. " Maylene said. Mickey can sense that this young female ODST is stronger than she looks,  but she shoves him to shoot down a Kig-Yar aiming at Mickey. Mickey turned to see that the dead Kig-Yar as more are coming.

"Kill those runners, Mickey. They're tryin' to flank us!" Dutch yelled. They see the group of Kig-Yar head over one of the bridges to get behind them. They take up position. Both Kyushu and Hokkaido squads, alongside Mickey and Dutch, take them out.

"Keep it up, guys! We almost got 'em beat!" Dutch said. They are defeating the Covenant forces coming at them. Volkner was having a time in his life as he got up to Jiralhanae minor with his knife to slash the neck out. Fantina provides cover for Volkner to stay alive in this madness.

"That's all of 'em. Way to go, guys. Come to my position." Dutch said. Everyone joins with Dutch's position. Both Mickey and Dutch clasp hands at the door to the ONI Alpha site. It seems that both squads are resting and doing an inventory check.

"You heard from Gunny?" Dutch asked. It seems that everyone is okay. Liz and Tate are checking with everyone. Norman is checking Wattson's armor as Wattson signals to them that he's fine. Maylene checked on Mickey to make sure he was okay.

"No. Romeo neither." Mickey said before he turned to Maylene. Mickey is taller than Maylene, but he sees that she is extremely capable. They are wondering what to do next. Everyone rejoins with Mickey and Dutch. They are wondering what to do next.

"Huh. Guess it's just us now." Dutch said. He looks at them. They are a capable force, but the worst problem right now is the ammo and food supplies they have. They feared that if they got nothing at all. The situation seems dire, but they can figure out a way out.

"My vote? Hole up, wait for backup." Mickey suggested. That is when they heard something. They all turned to aim their weapons. It was an NMPD officer emerges from Behind it it. The local police of New Mombasa have been fighting the Covenant for some time now.

"Thank God! Does one of you know how to use explosives?" NMPD Officer asked. Those who raised their hands were Roark, Byron, Flannery, and Dutch. Mickey slumps his shoulders down to realize that they have a lot of things to do. Explosions are one of them.

"Your vote? Just got overruled." Dutch said. They head into the tunnels. Mickey just follows. Liz and Tate scout ahead to make that it's a clear path. They hope not to expect any covenant ambushes along the way. The tunnels seem to be dark and scary for those who are afraid of the dark.

"Ohh.." Mickey groaned. They press on into the tunnels. It seems that is the best course of action. The one who was watching was no other than the Superintendent. It went from its green smiley avatar to the Office of Naval Intelligence sign. 

Chapter Text

The Rookie releases the turret, then pats it. He jumps off the turret's base. Misty looked at the Rookie as she took off her helmet to reveal her red hair. She comes up to Rookie. She tapped the Rookie while he was looking in the direction of where his group might be headed.

"So, you think they might be headed that way?" Misty asked. Rookie turned his head. He nodded his head. Misty understood his own way to speak with others. Lt. Surge is trying to get others on the radio with no response. Lt. Surge sighed as there was no hope of picking up any signal.

"Well, we can't stick here for long. Covenant will send patrols. Rookie is pointing us in the right direction. You are the point man." Lt. Surge said as he loaded the sniper rifle. Erika checks her inventory to make sure that they have enough medical packs.

"If we do encounter any Covenant forces in the area, let's just not try to get hurt. It's worse if we get killed. Come on, let's move out." Erika said. She passes out rations for them to have something to boost their energy. Brock takes the ration, but he remembers something. They got down from the turret. They see a Covenant Phantom is deploying more lances to the area.

They take cover. Brock takes out a photo. It was his parents and his nine siblings. Brock was the oldest of the siblings. He is currently twenty-five years old. He remembered when he decided to volunteer for the UNSC Marines when he was eighteen years old.

2543

Tokyo, Japan

Brock is rationing the meals for his nine siblings. Jiro or known as Forrest as his english nickname is fifteen years old and is currently finishing his final year of junior high school. Salvador, who is Suburo, is thirteen years old and finishing his first year of junior high school. Yolanda, known as Tomoko, is eleven years old and in the sixth grade of elementary school. Tommy, known as Goro, is ten years old and in the 4th grade of Elementary. Cindy, known as Mutsuko, is eight years old and enrolled in 3rd grade of elementary school. Suzie, known as Nanako, is six years old and enrolled in first grade at elementary. Timmy, known as Taoki, is around five years old and is finishing kindergarten. The twins, Billy, known as Kuro, and Tilly, known as Toko, are three years old.

They have been with their mother, Mizuho, who goes by her artist name, Lola. She has been painting numerous times, especially to keep her sanity when she heard her neighbors have their own sons and daughters serving the UNSC Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Force. Their father, Muno, who goes by Flint who is currently working on Mars to oversee the UNSC modernization of warships needed for the frontlines. Flint's paychecks kept the family afloat, but Brock oversaw the logistics of rationing the meals for his siblings.

He did have time for his studies. He graduated, but his test scores were not enough to enter university, even for a private one. Brock felt that something for his siblings needed more than their father's paycheck. He sees the motivational posters of the war. He sees the UNSC Marines who are asking anyone to join the UNSC Marine Corps. He sees the enlistment bonus upon each year of service. Brock thought about it as he returned home from his cram test, knowing he did terrible. Brock knows he is simply Takeshi.

Their family is having a meal as Brock carefully makes the portions for his siblings while his mother looks depressed. He noticed that another word in the neighborhood. Two UNSC Marines came to the house of a family who was told that their daughter had been killed in the naval battle of Miridem. It was considered a dreadful place where the planet was glassed. Brock looked at his meal. It was the smallest he had. He sees his siblings were eating, but Suzie finished, but still feeling hungry.

"Brother, can I have more?" Nanako asked. Brock knew the feeling that he checked that it ran out, but he looked into his meal. He thought about something. He could not go out to buy more due to the ration cards, even though the money is tight right now.

"Here, Nanako. You can have my meal." Brock said. He gives his bowl of rice to Nanako. She took his bowl and ate with her heart's content. Brock was not that hungry, but he knew that his siblings, who were younger, could not sustain themselves like adults. He pondered more about his choice.

"Guys. I made up my mind. I'm joining the UNSC Marines." Brock announced. Everyone, especially their mother, was shocked to hear his choice. Everyone had mixed reactions. The first ones who appear to accept his choice to become a UNSC Marine.

"That's awesome, big Brother! You will do great! You can teach those aliens to go away!" Billy and Tilly shouted. They admired their big brother's choice to join the UNSC Marines. They heard that they are defeating the might of the Covenant against all odds. Jiro was more skeptical. It was not until Lola slammed her hand on the table.

"Takeshi...Don't! Don't go! I beg of you. Stay here. Work with your father in Mars. Sure, the factory and dockyards is not glorious, but at least you're safe. Please. I beg of you." Lola said. She was upset about his choice to join the UNSC Marines as she heard the stories.

"Mom, I have to do it. They pay well and...I don't have to worry. I can transfer the money to you and help you to ease the burden." Brock argued. He knew that working in the dockyards was barely meeting their needs. He had to do the heavy lifting to feed all his siblings.

"I don't care. Your place is here with us. Your family. I heard from the neighbors. Yuriko told me that his son joined the UNSC Marines years ago. He never came back. They gave her his uniform.....Oh, God, please!" Lola cried. She started to sob. She could not handle it anymore. The siblings are witnessing their mother crying. Brock stands up and heads to his mother. He hugs her. "Everything is going to be okay. Mom. You have been here while Dad is working the dockyards. I don't want to burden you. I am my own man. I want to take responsibility. I can't do this alone. You know I love you as I love my brothers and sisters. I won't give up on you. I know you're scared." Brock said as he hugged his mother tightly.

"Takeshi. Promise us. Not just me. All of us, that you will you make it back?" Jiro asked. Brock looks at Jiro. He looks at his siblings, who are dependent on him. He has been with them. He carefully rations the meals. Brock looks at his mother.

"I promised, Forrest. I will be the best UNSC Marine. I will write to you every day. I do promise to call." Brock answered. Everyone hugs Brock. Brock knew that he had to protect his family. He knew that the Covenant wouldn't stop until they found Earth.

The next day, Brock went to the enlistment office. The Recruiter asked his name and age. He signed the papers. They asked him if he had any family members. Brock answered that he has nine siblings and two parents, as his father works on Mars. The recruiter gives Brock a sad look as he knows that he is the oldest son of the family. The recruiter acknowledged his choice as he stamped the papers.

The following morning, Brock is carrying his bags. He is at the pickup area where other recruiters have signed up to join the UNSC Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Force. His family has gathered, and Flint stands before Brock. Flint had taken a week off from the dockyards to see his son off.

"Well. This is it. You're becoming a man. Our ancestors would have been proud. I know it's not easy for us. But make us proud. Come back alive." Flint said. Brock nodded as he saw his siblings gathering around him. They give him hugs while Brock says he will come back. His mother steps forward to Brock.

"Mom, I know you're going to say that I'm wrong, but..." Brock was about to finish his sentence, but his mother stopped him there. She hugs him tightly. She loves her son more than anything in the world. She is making the biggest sacrifice of her life.

"Please. Come back home for us. Don't get yourself killed. Promise us. Save others if you can. Do it for me. Do it for your siblings." Lola said. She looks down. She admits that letting him go was her greatest form of love for her son. Brock shed a tear knowing he had to do his duty. Brock looks at Jiro.

"Jiro, you're the man of the house. Make sure that your siblings are out of trouble." Brock said. He looks at Jiro, who understands what Brock is asking him to do. It is a big responsibility for Jiro to handle the responsibilities of the household while he is away.

"I will, brother. Be safe. Don't forget about us." Jiro said. Brock nodded, but the buses are coming up. They are loading everyone up. Brock grabbed his bag. He looked behind as he was about to step into the bus. It would be the last time to see them in person because video calls would not be the same. He waves to them. They waved back to him. The bus's door closes as Lola cries in the distance. Brock sits down as he looks into the window to see Jiro is running alongside the slow-moving bus before Jiro gives a salute to him, and Brock salutes back to him before the bus's speed picks up. Jiro is standing alone before the rest of the family sees him off.

"He's coming back. We will see him. Let's do our part." Jiro said with determined resolve. It was not long before they would get his letters from him that he managed to pass the testing standards of becoming a frontline UNSC Marine. It is also noted that he was recommended to become an ODST in the year 2546.

It meant that his paycheck had gotten higher, meaning the family got enough food to survive, but to them, each day was dread as they prayed that news of his death wouldn't happen. In the mud of Ballast, Brock, with other ODSTs, managed to defeat Covenant forces in this defensive victory.

He saw combat as the Covenant forces were ruthless and relentless. He has seen a lone Spartan-II Class II in the solo Black OPs mission to retrieve something for ONI. Unlike the other Spartans, he sees the Spartan-II Class II managed to save their lives from the Sangheili Zealot team that was about to overwhelm the ODSTs. Brock thanked the Spartan as the Spartan nodded to him without a word before resuming his mission.

He and others were back on the ship. He wrote a letter to his siblings about the one time encounter with a Spartan. It was a rare sight, but he saw that Spartan was a major symbol of hope. He is blessed to be alive, but witnessing his fellow Marines and ODSTs killed in combat was a terrible toll for him. The cost was more than he could bear. He sees them having hopes and dreams if they were allowed to return home. He was often tasked by others to send back letters to their families. He knew that the letter meant that they were going to be killed in combat. Brock cries alone as he knows that his family is dependent on him. He was not alone because a woman wearing an UNSC Medical Corps uniform. Her name was Joy. She was from a colonial family from Reach who were dedicated to medical practices. She was hugging him as Brock cried. The fact was that she was his girlfriend. He and she met when he was wounded last year, and they hit it off. He was kind to her and tried too hard, but she likes the way he is.

Year 2552

New Mombasa

Brock is with others to take out the Covenant lances. They were able to clear out the Covenant forces in the area. Brock uses a shotgun to take out the Jiralhanae minor at close range. Others managed to take out the Unggoy and the Kig-yar at ease. The Rookie signals to them to head over there. Brock takes out his letter as he thinks of his siblings and his parents.

Tokyo

Lola, Flint, and the children are in the makeshift bunker where Covenant forces are in the area. They can hear that Covenant forces are trying to find something near the ONI building. Their house was near them. Lola holds her youngest child tight. Flint is trying to make the girls believe that everything will be okay. Jiro was standing guard. He continued to pray for his oldest brother to return. They did not give up on him, even though the Covenant had arrived on Earth, as they hoped that Brock would save them. It is unknown to them that Brock is in East Africa. 

New Mombasa

They continued to press into the streets of New Mombasa until the Rookie signaled to everyone. He spots something. He sees a remote detonator and picks it up. He notices something. It was something he remembered. The combat drop.

"Stand by to adjust trajectory. On my Mark." Captain Verconica Dare said over the coms. It was during this time that they were supposed to reach the carrier. It was an important mission. It was something that she needed. Another ONI agent was with her as well.

"What did she just say?" Dutch asked over the coms. He wanted to know why it was more important than the carrier itself. It was supposed to be a simple capture of the ship and use it to head back to the Covenant homeworld, as the previous Operation Red Flag was supposed to be.

"Mark!" Dare said over the coms. Rookie looks up to the smoldering, cube-shaped building in the background. Brock tapped the shoulder of the Rookie. Rookie looks at Brock. He points in the direction he was aiming at. Brock, Erika, Misty, and Lt. Surge saw in the distance.

"We're way off course!" Mickey said over the coms. It seems that Rookie was listening to what they were saying. It was something that he could theorize on what could happen. Dare was definity was looking for something. He couldn't put his finger on it.

"We're heading exccatly were I need to go." Veronica Dare said over the coms. Rookie takes a step forward as he sees the ruins from a distance. He is still holding the detonator. He can project a vision of what he thinks might happen in ONI Alpha site.  

Chapter Text

Two hours after Drop

The bridge to the ONI Alpha Site contains a Wraith that moves into position at the end of the bridge. Micky arms the detonator, while Maylene provides cover for him. She blasts the Jiralhanae coming at them with a shotgun. Volkner takes down a Jiralhanae minor by sticking a plasma grenade to the chest.

"Finally! I am feeling the battle!" Volkner shouted in joy. Everyone is like, "Oh, geez, he may not be as stable as he looks." But as long as he is not going into battle hungry, manic with delusions of grandeur. Dutch is concerned about this, but he rushes to Mickey and Maylene.

"Hurry up!" Dutch shouted. The Wraith starts to open fire. The mortar plasma rounds hit the ground with tremendous force. They take over. It seems that arming the detonator would not be easy. Everyone wants to rush him to a simple job.

"Hey, you wanna do this? Be my guest. But this ain't a job you wanna rush." Mickey said. He presses the button to arm the detonator. It is ready to explode the bridge to prevent the Covenant from bringing more reinforcements from land. It would make things easier for them.

"That do it?" Dutch asked. He looks down the bridge to a watchtower with an NMPD Officer in it, which is almost hit by a plasma mortar round.  The Kyushu knew that they had to set the charges and blow up the bridge before more of them appeared.

"Signal's good! Arm the other Detonators and pull back to me!" NMPD Officer said over the radio. The Hokkaido squad is providing covering fire so they can arm the detonators. They can see that incoming Covenant forces are about to cross the bridge.

"Come on, tough guy, we gotta blow this bridge," Mickey said. The two run down the bridge alongside the Hokkaido squad. The Wrait moves in and starts to fire upon them. Dutch, along with Norman and Wallace are taking cover behind a destroyed Warthog. Mickey hides behind the barricade. Plasma shots from the Wraiths secondary gunners streak past them. The Plasma mortar round lands several meters in front of Dutch, Norman, and Wallace. It's staggering them.

"Dutch, arm the other charges!" Mickey shouted. Dutch and Norman look back at the Wraiths starting to move up to the bridge. Their gunners continue firing at them. It is a big danger to them. Wallace noticed this as they have to deal with them.

"What about those Wrraiths?" Dutch said. He, Norman, and Wallace open fire on their gunners. Their gunners have been stationary targets. It was too easy, but the mortar rounds, on the other hand. It was still in danger as its rounds were getting closer.

"Forget about 'em, we got explosives to set. Follow me, arm the charges!" Mickey shouted. They have no time to lose. Dutch, Norman, and Wallace are prepping the charges. Both Kyushu and Hokkaido squads pull back to the other side of the bridge.

"That's the last one! Everyone, behind those barriers, the bridge is set to blow!" Mickey said. Dutch, Norman, and Wallace reached the while Wallace got to the tower. He set the buttons on the laptop. He got the charges set to go. The NMPD Officer is next to him.

""Come on, Super, unlock the keypad! If you don't let us trigger those charges, in about five minutes, your data center's going to be crawling with Covenant!" NMPD said. The Superintendent's message goes by 'Keep it clean! Respective Public Property! There was no time for that type of nonsense to keep things clean. There are bigger enemy threats.

"About damn time!" Wallace said. He pushes the button to trigger the charges. The Superintendent responded with the words 'Bridge toll accepted. Have a pleasant trip.' The bridge is destroyed, killing all Covenant troops still on the bridge.

"Woo-hoo! Yeah! That's the way!" Mickey cheered. Everyone made their way to the wall. It seems that they got this in the bag. It was not long before they heard that Phantoms can fly on the other side of the bridge. They celebrated too soon. That meant they had to fight more of the Covenant.

"Aw, man. Covenant landing on the other side of the wall." Maylene whined. She is hoping that they can rest up, but these just keep coming. They are wondering if they are going to keep coming. They have to fight with what they have to repel them.

"C'mon, Maylene, those cops aren't going to last long against Brutes!" Mickey said. They both knew that they didn't have the firepower to handle the Covenant forces. It was to require the essential to handle them. They continue to make their way to the hill. 

"Finally! Something to challenge more than brutes!: Volkner shouted as he rushed up to deal with the pair of Mgalekgolo. Fantine sighed, knowing he's going to get himself killed one of those days. Crasher Wake assists Volkner in dealing with the Mgalekgolo pair. 

"All teams, hold the ridge, don't let them near the ONI building!: Fantine shouted. They are going to fight for their lives. The Kyushu squad is taking up position against the incoming Covenant forces. Their phantoms are dropping more of them with wraiths as well.

"Forward, warriors! Take this hill or die upon it!" Jiralhanae Captain commanded with a roar. The Covenant forces began their attack. The two squads alongside Mickey, Dutch, and the NMPD are holding ground. They are inflicting heavy losses among the Covenant forces, but slowly increasing their numbers.

"More phantoms, look sharp!" Mickey said. They are witnessing the rising numbers, even though their ammo is basically depleted. They are running low on ammo. Some got nothing at all. Some have the idea to pick up Covenant weaponry if they have to.

"We can't hold 'em, everyone fall back inside the building!" Fantine said. She and Candice are slowly relocating after the plasma mortar nearly hit them. It was a close call, but it was getting more dangerous by the minute. Candice sees that NMPD was hit by incoming plasma, brute spikers, and needles, resulting in injuries or outright death. Crasher Waker takes up the stationary turret to fire upon the incoming covenant until a brute spike gets him in the shoulder. Candice came up to Crasher Wake.

"Medic! Medic!" Candice shouted. It was not until Gardenia appeared to help Crasher Wake heal with a medical bioform after Gardenia carefully removed the brute spiker round in his shoulder. It wasn't until a Jiralhane Minor tried to shoot them down that Candice, in a quick moment, used her M7S SMG, followed by Wake's quick draw with his pistol after Candice took out its power armor.

"Too many of 'em, Dutch. We gotta scoot!" Mickey shouted. He and Maylene grabbed Wake by the shoulders, with Gardenia's assistance. Volknor provides covering fire with the assistance of a few NMPD who are holding the line. The Jiralhanae are pushing their forces to press on.

"Forward! Grind their bones beneath your feet!" Jiralhanae Captain commanded with a determined growl. They rush in while UNSC forces are pouring what they have. The wave seems endless, but each unggoy falls comes with greater vicious determination. 

"Dutch, inside the building! Now!" Norman yelled. They see the mass of Covenant soldiers charge at their defenses. The ODSTs fall back, but a group of NMPD Officers goes outside to provide their retreat. They head to the center of the complex.

"Hurry up, men, check those charges!" NMPD Sergeant commanded. They sealed the doors on time. Mickey heard this with a groan. They just blew up a bridge, but now they have to destroy an entire building. Who is giving out these orders to consider their position?

"Yea, what gives? I thought we were supposed to protect this building." Wattson shouted in anger. He wanted to know why this building is so important that many NMPD officers had to risk their lives for nothing. They should be more concerned about their lives.

"I have orders to deny enemy access to all classified data housed in this facility. You don't like it, jump your butts back into orbit!" NMPD Sergeant said. There was nothing for them to argue about. They are this together. They have to blow it up.

"The only thing I don't like is that our butts are currently inside this facility," Brawly said. They heard the cutting noises and sparks appear on the sealed doorways. The Covenant is breaking through, but they knew what else they could do.

"They're cuttin' through the door!" NMPD Officer wailed. She was getting scared as they were coming. It was this, it's for them. No matter how they tried, it was inevitable. For the ODSTs, they knew that Earth was the last place they had left.

"We can't give up. We have to survive this." Flannery said. She loaded up her shotgun. She knew what was at stake. She is determined to return home to her grandfather. She was determined not to die on this ground. She has a fiery aura around her to keep fighting.

"Settle down, people, find some cover. Someone man that turret." NMPD Sergeant said. Crasher Wake is still injured with his shoulder in place, but he decided to work with the pain. He got up while Gardenia was surprised by what he was doing.

"Wake! You're still injured. It barely reaches your shoulder blade. You need to rest!" Gardenia shouted. Wake kept moving as he took up the turrent position. He knows that they are going to die as he stands. Byron sees this as he takes up a position.

"No, I gave up my wrestling career for this. What's the other choice but to fight to the bitter end?" Crasher Wake said. Brawly sees that Wake is a man of his word. He may have won and lost wrestling matches, but he is determined to go to the end of the world.

"Well, this is it. Let's hold until the charges are set." Wallace said. They have taken their positions. They knew what to do. That is when waves of Unggoy charge at them as they carry ignited plasma grenades. They take them out where they take headshots to prevent getting close.

"Where's that fifyt? We got hostiles right!" NMPD Sergeant said. They can see they are coming from the right. They keep pouring in while the Jiralhanae, Kig-Yar, and Unggoy are pouring in. Liz and Tate of Kysuhu passed ammo around to everyone as they fired when they could hit a target.

"They're comin' in on the left, adjust your fire!" Norman shouted. He can see them are coming in. It is not that more of them kept coming with Unggoy carrying more plasma grenades. These are suicide bombers. They are forced to make those runs to disrupt them.

"Wattson, scan right!" Wallace said. Wattson and a few others noticed them coming. They reposition themselves as they take out more of them. The Unggoy pour in first before the Kig-Yar and Jiralhanae come in. Wattson knew that they were coming, whatever forces they had.

"They're pouring into the left!" Fantine shouted. She can see them coming more on the left side. It is the threat level keeps rising. Wake kept firing the turret against the incoming enemy forces. There is plenty of ammo for the turret but finite at best.

"Left side! Bring that turret round!" Candice shouted. She uses her M7S SMG against an incoming Jiralhanae major, but her weapon clicked out of ammo. She tries to reload, but the Jiralhanae are coming at her until Flannery uses her shotgun against them.

"Thanks!" Candice thanked Flannery. Flannery saw the incoming Jiralhanae Major coming at her, but she quickly got there to use her shotgun to blast the Jiralhanae away. Candice removed its power armor on time to make the kill possible.

"I collect debts later. We have to watch out." Flannery said. They have faced waves of Unggoy, Kig-yar, and Jiralhanae. They managed to hold on much longer with what ammo they had, but they heard that the Covenant was dropping more troops behind them.

"Phantom drooping reinforcements. We've got to cover our rear." Norman said. He is aware they are trying to be overwhelmed on all sides. Dutch, Roxanne, and Norman head out to defeat the rear guard force. They can hold for a bit, but they managed to defeat them. They will be coming unless more come.

"That's the last of 'em. Come back to my position." Mickey said. Maylene reloads her pistol as she runs out of ammo for the M7S SMG. She takes up a position to cover in case any survivors try to shoot them down. They regrouped, but they heard an elevator. The elevator revealed NMPD Officer, but a whole group. It was specialized combat armor similar to their own, but these were the ONI security force. It has nine individuals.

"Everyone in the elevator, they put enough charges in this shaft to blow this building twice!" A blond woman shouted. They got inside the elevator while they provided covering fire against any survivors coming towards them. They closed the doors, and the elevator is moving.

"You guys are from ONI?" Norman asked. The blond woman nodded. She and other ONI security agents are present while Gardenia is tending to Crasher Wake's injuries that have flared up. They were lucky to survive. They are moving up to the roof.

"Yes, I am Cynthia. ONI section One." Cythina announced to everyone. They knew that an ONI agent like her had something to cover things up. They are aware that they are the ones who cover the information up, especially when it comes to intelligence-gathering.

"Alright, that's it. Transfer the detonation codes to my COM. If anyone's takin' this place out, it's gonna be me." Mickey said. Cynthia smiled as she was aware of Mickey's origins. She is willing to give him what he wants due to his file statement.

"Evac bird's gonna meet us on the roof. However, agents Aaron, Bertha, Flint, Lucian, Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, and Drake are going to assist us in counteracting any threats that might block us. Colonel Steven Stone has been debriefed. He is waiting for us at the rendezvous point." Cynthia said. She activates the elevator. They slowly made their way up. That is when Yanme'e appeared.

"Not those things again!" Maylene whined. They fired their weapons at them. They did not see them coming since they always appeared out of nowhere. Mickey covered Maylene's six as he took down some Yanme'e coming at her. Other ONI agents held their ground with their M5Cs.

"Where the hell did these buggers come from?" Dutch asked. He takes them out with a shotgun. Norman did take out his pistol to shoot them down with pinpoint accuracy. Fantine carefully aims her M7S SMG with careful shots at them. Candice uses her pistol to aim at them since Yanme'e are weak against those rounds.

"Underground tunnels are filled with the damn things!" Lucian said. He takes them with his M5C, aiming at their heads. He is good with his shots. It is not easy, as they have a good reason to set the charges to destroy the building that has them.

"Finally, a good reason to blow this building up!" Mickey said with a sigh. They managed to defeat them as they reached the roof, where they found a Phantom dropping off a pack of Jiralhanae Jumpers along with Kig-Yar and the Jiralhanae Chieftain. 

"Get them!" Jiralhanae Chieftain ordered. The ODSTs, remaining NMPD, and ONI agents are fighting against the incoming Covenant battle group. It was this moment that Volkner noticed that Cythinia was not your average ONI Section One Agent. She faces down a Jiralhane Chieftain on her own. She managed to dodge the gravity hammer strikes, but she used a plasma grenade to weaken its power armor before finishing off with a pistol. The evac Pelican arrives as it finishes off the enemy reinforcements. 

"There's our ride, go! Go! Go!" Colonel Steven Stone shouted from the troop bay of the evac Pelican. They got inside of the pelican. They boarded the pelican. They took off. They removed their helmets while they took a seat, as some stood standing. 

"Hey, you two. You know Gunnery Sergeant Buck?" Cynthia asked. She looks at them with a serious tone. Mickey and Dutch looked at each other first, but facing her. They do have to give her an answer since she is part of ONI, but they decided since they got nothing to oppose for.

"Sure do!" Mickey answered. Cythina takes up the communication. She gestures to Lucian to give the right dials to make the communication codes to Buck. Lucian is making his way while everyone else is looking at him, while some, like Maylene, watch in the distance.

"Patching him through," Cynthia said. They can see the building from a distance before they hear the communication dial noise is making. It was tense as the communication is patching to Mickey and Dutch, who report to Buck, their commanding superior. 

"Glad you boys are safe and sound," Buck said over the coms. He sounded glad they are alive and well. It meant that there is hope in this world to fight for. It was not going to be easy, but it was worth taking a shot. A hopeful future in mind.

"Likewise, Gunny, you need a pickup?" Dutch asked. He is wondering about the possibility that he needs to be picked up. Bertha is overhearing the communication to make sure that the communication line is secured while she gives a thumbs up that the line is not picked up by the Covenant. 

"Long as you're offerin'. We're in the police HQ. Tell Cynthia that Looker is presented. So, give a heads up to her that Looker is alive and presented." Buck said over the coms. It seems that Looker is alive and present, but it seems that they have to reach police HQ.

"Can you take us there?" Dutch asked Cynthia. She already knew that sort of request. She can confirm that heading there is a top priority. She signals to the pilot via the communicator device to take them to the police HQ to pick up certain individuals.

"Alright, meet you up top!" Buck said over the coms. They are heading to the police HQ, but Maylene nudges Dutch. Dutch was confused by Maylene's actions. Mickey comes up to her side. Dutch was confused by their actions. He was curious about what was happening.

"What?" Dutched asked. Mickey points at the ONI building. He starts to count down from three on his fingers. It reached zero; he detonated the charges. The explosion resulted in the building being destroyed. Maylene sees the sight of the explosion as if it were a relief that they prevented the covenant from grabbing their hands on it.

"This day ain't turnin' out so bad after all!" Mickey said with laughter. Dutch gave a slight chuckle. They did manage to survive the impossible, but they will live and fight another day. They are flying away to head out to the NMPD headquarters, where Buck is located. The destruction was not going to be good for the Supderintendent whom gave an angry face to know the building was destroyed. It doesn't matter what lies ahead of them.

Chapter Text

It seems that hours have passed. The Rookie, Erika, Brock, Misty, and Lt. Surge can look at the distance of the burning ONI building. Rooke stands up, then tosses the remote detonator into the water. It skips a few times before it sinks. Erika stepped forward.

"So, where do you think they might have left to?" Erika asked. The Rookie gets new information from the Superintendent. It was telling him to head in the direction of the New Mombasa Police Department Headquarters. Rookie uploaded the information to Erika's helmet. Not only her, but he shared it with everyone else.

"NMPD HQ, huh. Well, we can't stick here for long. Let's proceed. We have to be careful of Covenant patrols in the area." Lt. Surge said. He aims up his M5C, but he has his sniper rifle attached magnetically. He signals them to move forward. Rookie takes point alongside Brock.

"Hey, Erika. Are you worried about your students back in Tokyo?" Misty asked. Erika looked down for a bit. She was a school teacher. She was a Junior high teacher. She specialized in the science section of botany. She remembered the day that she decided to join the fight.

Year 2545

Tokyo, Japan

The twenty-six-year-old Erika was practicing her archery in her family's estate in Tokyo. She has been part of the wealthy families of Tokyo. She was renown botonist whom offered lecture courses in Tokyo U and other universities, but her real passion was teaching Junior high students about taking care of plant life. She had a grawling feeling that the war had been raging for years since the year 2525.

ONI kept the information quiet for the past twenty years, but slowly revealed that the reasons of militzation is taking place even on Earth. She heard from her students that their fathers, mothers, uncles, and cousins are in the military. They told her that they never came back, and some returned not looking the same. She was exempted from military duty due to being a teacher.

She kept on teaching since she graduated with a bachelor's degree, but she tried to apply for a master's degree. The entry to the master's program for botany majors was limited due to the university's requirement for more engineers, scientists, and other wartime conditions, which required being a medical officer. There was a string of high unemployment of thsoe have finished bachelor's, especially those who excelled in the education sector. Erike's minor was in teaching, but she felt that it was not enough. 

She is merely a biology teacher in a junior high school. She is a witness to four students who are fourteen years old. She sees that the student with dark spiky hair is paying attention, while she can see the long brunette woman is mostly using a book to use her device. Still, Erika lets it slide while the brunette male is listening very carefully. She sees a dark-haired girl who is paying attention while she is making notes.

"Students, what is the basis of photosynthesis?" Erika asked. She sees the male student with dark hair raise his hand. She picked him. That she knew that the student was no other than Red. He is a popular athlete, but he has volunteered at the greenhouse where he often takes care of the plants.

"The basis of the plants obtained the energy from the sun," Red said. Green nodded to confirm that is the correct answer. Erike knew that Red was not that dense or foolish, but he had a good idea to make it simple for his answers. Erika smiled as to consider that the basis of the plant life requires the sun to make it possible.

"Yes, that is the correct way. In simplified terms, the plants required a greater basis to have the sun's rays to make the chemical energy. It does require two of the species in plants, like bacteria and algae. Without them, there would be no life to speak. Students, we have to remember that all life, even across the planets, needs plants more than they need us. It is a form of symbiotic relationship." Erika said. The female student with dark hair raised her hand as Erika allowed her to take the floor.

"That is very true. Animals need to eat plants to survive. Without plants, the whole ecosystem would collapse." The female student with dark hair said. Erika realizes that she was correct in her way, as it reflects how the animal kingdom relies on plants and requires meat-eaters to control plant-eaters, even if they die on the ground to make more plants. 

"Yes, that's true. Yellow. That is the basis of the circle of life. It is not always fair, but every species has the right to live while accepting mortality. Students, that is why we study biology is to understand that without life, there is no purpose." Erika said. 

The students look at each other to consider that their way of life was built on the requirements for plants. They continued to listen to her lessons regarding the biology of the plants and nature itself. Erika felt joy in teaching the students about preserving life while the militarization has been going on. She can see that more and more new graduates are having the jobs they want. It is just a question of when the military service has been glaring at her. She felt that when looking at her students, she sees them with hopes and dreams. She has been a teacher for the past four years. 

Now, it is evening. She is watching the sunset. She can feel that something...is she making the right choice in life? She is wearing her archery outfit. She is at the practice range. She draws her bow. She hit the target dead in the center. She is wondering. Would she still stay behind while the war dragged on? She pondered as each shot she fired. Again. The target hit again. Again. Again. She stops firing. 

"Lady Erika, is there something wrong?" One of the servants asked. Erika looks down as she sets down her bow. She turned to put it away. She took a short breath and sighed. She felt that she was not anything about it. She looks down. 

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong. It's just a feeling." Erika said. The servants let her be. Erika looks back at the target. She finishes up. She headed to her garden as she tidied up. She checks her plants. She was glad that they were blooming. She can sense that as long as they have sunlight and water, they can last for a long time. She sees the cherry blossoms. 

"Maybe...I could make a difference." Erika muttered. She sees the twilight. She decided to make a choice. She decided to participate in the war effort, but to protect. It was a matter of principle in her family as a lady of war, but to protect life, not to destroy.

Year 2552

New Mombasa

Everyone is on the move. They have faced some encounters with Covenant patrols. Erika checked her medical supplies. She is relieved that they have enough for everyone. She tossed a SMG magazine to the Rookie as the Rookie thanked her. The Rookie checked the corner. It is very empty. They continued to push on. Misty nearly tripped, but the Rookie caught her.

"I'm okay, thanks," Misty said as she looked at the Rookie. The Rookie made a gesture to watch her step. They continued to push on. Lt. Surge made hand signals that he found a group of Covenant troops at the entrance of the NMPD HQ. 

"Alright, let's do this," Brock said. They set up a position to give them a field of fire. The Rookie volunteered himself as bait. He makes his attack on a couple of Unggoy. The Jiralhanae gave chase until Misty, Brock, Lt. Surge, and Erika took them out very easily. The remaining Unggoy and Kig-Yar were taken afterwards. They scan the area, but they found that the entrance is empty and the doors are locked, even though the shutters are closed. 

"Great, we came too late. Any clues?" Lt. Surge asked. The Rookie looks at the others, but Erika notices something. She tapped the Rookie's shoulder. She is pointing up. The Rookie looks up at the bent sniper rifle hanging over a power line.

Misty noticed it is too high. Erika spots a metal pole. She handed it over to the Rookie. The Rookie pushed the rifle down to the ground. He tried to straighten with no avail. Brock tried the same, but no use at all. All looked up at the skyscrapers above them. They can sense that something did happen before their arrival. The Rookie pondered as he placed his hand on his helmet's chin. 

"We in the Police HQ," Bruck said over the coms via flashback. It was something of an echo in there. Lt. Surge takes a shot to try to take out the sniper rifle with all his strength. Misty and Erika look at each other while the Rookie is in his deep thinking about the events.

"Can you take us there?" Dutch asked in the flashback. The Rookie did consider that after the destruction of the ONI Alpha Site. There was something funny about it. They did fall back to the police HQ, but was it meant to be regrouped? Or was Something else.

"All right. Meet you up top!" Bruck said over the coms via flashback. It was the moment for Rookie to consider what had happened. Two squads. Two of his Squadmates. His NCO. Backed up by a group of ONI officials. There was something to consider about what happened in that HQ.

Chapter Text

Three Hours after the Drop

The door of NMPD headquarters is open. It revealed Buck with the Kansai Squad taking point while Romeo and the New York Squad watch their back. Whitney is carrying her MA5C alongside Buck. She checks the corner. She signals to others to move forward.

"Clear?" Buck asked. Romeo and the New York squad spread out to check around the area. It seems there is no sight of Covenant forces in the area. It seems too quiet at the moment.  Cilan, Chili, and Cress check the corners. Elesa is checking the radio frequency.

"Yea. We're good." Romeo said. They did exit the room. They have entered the outside landing pad. Buck is wondering if he can pick up the coms to make sure that the Rookie is still active. He hoped that he was not dead. He tapped in his helmet.

"Hey, Rookie. You out there? Respond. That's an Order!" Buck shouted. Romeo noticed this as he is aware that Rookie may not be around. Lenora scans the landing pad to make sure it is secured properly. Burgh and Clay are making their rounds to scout ahead to see if any Covenant is coming their way.

"Give it up, Gunny. Even if he ain't dead, he's lost in that soup. Our comms can't cut through that." Romeo said. For Buck, it may not be important. Rookie is part of their unit. They are not alone in this. Buck stops and turns to Romeo to give his thoughts out loud.

"Oh, give up, huh? What if it were down there?" Buck said. He pointed his finger at him. He knows that lives have been at stake. Morty and Jasmine knew their experience as they were selected as ODSTs since 2546 to feel that everyone is important.

"Just saying', I ain't dead." Romeo whined. He did his shugging at Buck. Buck shakes his head at Romeo as he walks past by him. Iris is with Drayden. Iris looks down with sadness until Drayden reminds her that he is with her in these troubled times.

"Oh, you're a piece of work, Romeo." Buck said. It seems uneasy at first, but it was not until Mickey's and Dutch's Pelican was coming in but BUck notices that it's not an NMPD variant, it's ONI. He is curious as to know why ONI sent one of their dropships.

"Welcome aboard, ladies! First stop: Anywhere but here!" Mickey said over the coms. They are about to prepare to land when two Banshees come out of. Buck sees them coming hard. They are going to attack the Pelican with their plasma rounds.

"Banshees on your six! Hit the deck!" Buck shouted. Both Kansai and New York Squads took over as the ONI Pelican takes a hit from a Banshee's fuel rod cannon. The flying pelican was none other than Winona, who was part of the Kyushu squad, but she was transferred to ONI.

"We're losing her! Watch out!" Dutch said. The pelican spins out of view as Buck, Romeo, Kansai, and New York fire at the attacking banshee. It was too late. The pelican is out of control, as they know they have to save them from the incoming Covenant forces. They heard of Mickey's scream as Romeo looked around for any enemy aircraft.

"Mickey! Dutch! Status!" Buck demanded. Buck depolarized his visor. He wondered, but acknowledged the situation. He has to do. He looks at the Kansai squad, who knew what he was going to do. The New York squad nodded their heads as well.

"Alive or dead. We're pulling them out! You hear me? Make some noise. I got your back." Buck said. He did place his hands on Romeo's shoulders. They know what to do. Buck turns away from Romeo and pulls the charge handle on his assault rifle. He gestures to everyone to head back inside the building.

"Back inside!" Clay shouted. He guides everyone back inside the NMPD HQ building. He and Burgh are covering them as they enter the building. They enter once everyone has gotten in and checked their weapons. It's going to be easy. They are going to find that Pelican.

"Let's find that Pelican!" Brycen said. He is one of the older ODST veterans. He is from New Jersey in the New York City metropolitan area. He has been in combat for nearly fifty years, but the cryogenic kept him from appearing that old since 2520.

"What about all those Covenant we side-stepped on the way up?"  Iris asked. She has been selected as an ODST since last year due to her performance, which was considered to be remarkable for someone in her early twenties. She grew up in the streets of Manhattan as she had dreams to travel in the stars and see various species of the galaxy she had heard.

"Now we get to kill them." Whitney shouted over the comms. She is glad that she will get into the fight. They come to the flight of stairs leading to the floor above. Cilan, Chili, and Cress ahead of them as they check the rooms and corners to make sure no Covenant on sight.

"Thanks for picking such as talling building. I'm really digging all these stairs." Romeo whined. The New York Squad groaned at his whining. They are used to tall buildings, but they think that Romeo is there to complain about everything that they do.

"Do you ever get tired of bitching, Romeo?" Lenora said. She has a more maternal, motherly feel to the group. She has been in the war for about twenty years, leaving behind her husband behind in Brooklyn. She has no children so far, but is planning to have some, since her husband is Chinese-American. 

"We are getting tired of busting his balls," Roxie said as she pointed out that they are getting sick of them arguing over tedious nonsense. She is from Jersey City, New Jersey, and was once a musician until she enlisted in the UNSC Marines in 2548, until they transfer her to ODSTs. She is known as a punk rocker type when she puts the music on in her drop pod.

"Point taken," Burgh said. They continued to press on. Buck and Romeo signal them to stay quiet since they are sneaking outside to the first courtyard. They found Covenant forces who have not spotted them. There are shade turrets in the courtyard. 

"They haven't seen us. Pick a target, take it out." Buck said. Everyone has selected their targets, and with coordination, they have taken out Covenant troops, including Whitney, who takes out her rocket launcher. She aims at the shade turret.

"Your ass is mine!" Whitney shouts. She fires a rocket at the shade turret. She redirects her rocket launcher at the other shade turret at the far side of the courtyard with another rocket, aiming at her group. Two of the shades are destroyed.

"At least they are gone," Chuck said with an enthusiastic tone. They heard something else. It was a Phantom flying overhead. They knew they had to push forward to the next landing pad. All of them enter the small lobby area. They approach the next door to reveal more Covenant in the second Courtyard. They found themselves encountering Kig-yar with carbines and a beam sniper rifle. 

"Jackals with carbines up top. Watch yourself!" Buck shouted. Falkner, Romeo, and Clay have their sniper rifles ready. They engaged against the Kig-yar with brilliant accuracy and precision. They took them out early. Falkner takes up the last one.

"Here's our greeting to trespassers!" Falkner said as he aimed up. He took out the last Kig-Yar as the Kig-Yar fell, dropping to the ground below. They were allowed to push into the upper level. They have to deal with the present Covenant forces.

Roxie decided to pull out an old song, So What by Pink, as she rushes in to take out two Unggoy with her M7S silencer while singing the lyrics out of her helmet's speakers. A Jiralhanae minor was coming at her until she managed to reload and overwhelm Jiralhanae Minor's power armor as she finished it off with a pistol round to the face. She tilted her head while managing to kill Unggoy without looking as impressive as it was. 

"Not bad, but I can do better." Elesa said. Roxie turned to see that Elesa is their communication and tech specialist, but they have a sense of rivalry over who gets the best kills. Elsa took out a plasma grenade to stick on Jiralhanae Major without looking, that taken out the entire lance.

"Hey, save us some of these dumb bastards. There's plenty to go around." Marion said. He is from the Long Island region, where he enjoys surfing the waves. He had visited California and Texas, especially since he was a university student at Texas A&M, where he enjoyed the waves of South Padre Island while he earned his master's in marine biology in California, where he swept the waves. He enlisted as an UNSC Marine in 2543, but transferred to his ODST due to his impressive skills.

"Man, you guys are something else." Romeo said. He can see the camaraderie of the New York Squad with their backstories. He doesn't question their skills because that's what kept them alive for so long. He had heard those squads were what they had been since their original members were killed at the beginning of the war. 

"We're down, Gunny. On a rooftop north-east of your location." Dutch said over the coms. It seems they are nearby in the area. It sounds like they're going to need help.  They entered the room. They see spare ammo and med-packs lying around. Iris checked on the NMPD officers with a grim, sad face behind her visor. 

"Stay put Dutch. We'll come to you. Alright, people. Grab some ammo." Buck said. He sees Iris kneeling over the dead NMPD officer. She closes the eyes of the dead officer. Drayen comforts her with a pat on the shoulder. He is urging her to keep going. They exited to see the third courtyard.

"Sniper! Up high. Make your first shot count." Cilan said. Chili makes a hand signal to Clay where the Kig-yar sniper is located. Cress has his spotter binoculars. Clay takes the sniper rifle to aim at the Kig-yar with a quick draw moment. The Kig-yar is hit and goes down to the hard ground below from its height.

"More of them!" Morty shouted. They see a pantom arriving at the far side of the courtyard. It appeared to be Jet Pack Jiralhanae who were backing up their forces in the courtyard. Roxie and Elesa are competing as Roxie takes out a group of Kig-yar in close range while Elesa aims her M7S siliencer on group of Unggoy with accurate shots. 

"Jet Pack Burtes!" Cress shouted. Chuck managed to break the arms of Kig-Yar to disable its shields before he smashed its face with his open palm. Brycen takes out the Unggoy with a punch to its gut. Iris is taking down Jiralhanae Minor with her pistol after she ran out of ammo for her MA5C ammo ran out before she could reload it with a new magazine.

"Keep pressing, we gotta get to that crash site!" Bugsy said. They did manage to clear out the courtyard before they moved into the next courtyard, where they found another wave of Covenant forces. They can beat them due to their combat experience, but they know that the endless cannot be defeated that easily. They finally made their way inside again. 

"Gunny, we've moved one of those construction cranes; made a bridge to our location," Mickey said over the coms. It seems that they are far away from where they have crashed on top of a nearby skyscraper. It was the only way for them to cross while avoiding enemy fire.

"Affimative. We're almost there." Buck said. He signals to the others that they have to cross. Everyone is making their way along the makeshift bridge. They keep moving as they can see Mickey and Dutch's pelican nearby. It was a bundle of long girders being held up by a crane.

"That's the bridge?! You have gotta be kidding me!" Romeo whined. He sees that the bridge is not very stable, especially when he cannot handle the pressure of the bridge. He looks down to see the depth of the ground. He stalled for a moment.

"What? You afraid of heights? Get going." Iris said. She grabs his hand to guide him across the bridge. The others chuckled to think that Romeo, out of all people, should know that they drop from space to think that he is scared of heights.

"Banshees!" Romeo shouted as he spotted them. The Banshees spot them. They are coming at them. Everyone on the bridge, instead of being cautious, started to run like hell. They know that they cannot stay here or drop dead on the ground.

"Let's get the hell out of this thing! Move people!" Buck shouted. They kept running while the Banshees, one by one, flew low overhead and shook the bridge. Iris lost her balance and nearly fell until Romeo saved her by grabbing her arm.

"Thanks, I owe you one." Iris said. Romeo, with the help of Drayen, gets Iris on the bridge before they continue to run to reach to the other side. They all rejoined with Mickey, Dutch, Cynthia, Colonel Steven Stone, Cynthia's ONI security team, NMPD officer, Kyushu squad, and Hokkaido squad. 

"What's our situation?" Buck asked. He sees a pilot, Winona, who is treated by Gardenia. She is trying to keep herself alive. It is noted that Wallace is by her side, alongside Colonel Steven Stone, who is there as well. He, Wallace, and Winona were classmates in their university days before they signed up for military service. 

"Bird's wasted. Lost the pilot on impact. Rest of us are okay." Dutch reported. He pointed out that they lost a pilot, but Winona was the co-pilot. They see that Covenant troops are trying to overwhelm, but they managed to repel them; more will come.

"Not for long, Phantoms inbound!" Mickey said. He points to the sky as they are coming in. They really wanted to get rid of them. It is noted that the New York and Kansai squads had even odds. They can defeat them as long as they have the ammo and watch their corners.

"Why am I not surprised?" Romeo whined. He knew that more fighting would be non-stop. They knew there was no end to the covenant forces. They knew that logically, they had to deal with them in time while they had a mission to achieve.

"Pick a turret, trooper! Conserve your ammo. This is gonna get hot!" Cythnia ordered. She is directing Romeo to pick a turret while others are preparing for the incoming attack. It is going to be very hot, as far as the looks of it. They see banshees and phantoms coming in.

"Look out! Banshee!" Falkner shouted. They aimed their weapons against the incoming Covenant forces. It appeared to be a very tough fight ahead of them. It seems that they get into their positions. Whitney, Dutch, Brawly, and Flannery are anti-air duties.

"Phantom to our right!" Lenora shouted. The members of the New York and Hokkaido squads get into position. They waited until they dropped off their infantry. It was not going to be easy for them. Steven Stone spots the incoming phantom on the left.

"Phantom coming in left!" Steven Stone said. Kyushu and Kansai squads redirect their focus to the incoming phantom on the left. They take up position with Morty covering their rear just in case they tried to sneak around them. They are using short bursts to maintain their ammo.

"Phantom! Dead ahead!" Cythina shouted. Her ONI team has taken up position alongside an NMPD officer who has taken up position to defend, with more infantry coming at them. The anti-air team is repelling the incoming banshees. Whiteny uses the missile pod while Romeo is using the mini-gun turret to take them down.

"Jet packs! Take them down!" Marshal shouted. He is among the ONI security group alongside Shauntal, Grimsley, Catilin, and Alder. They see that the Jiralhanae jet pack unit is trying to move around them, but they manage to take them, especially Caitlin, who manages to aim her sniper rifle before the jet Jiralhanae would land, as if she had a sixth sense.

"Pour everything on them, ladies and gentlemen, we're almost through this!" Drake said as he aimed his MA5C at the Jet Jiralhanae when it landed in front of him. They managed to defeat them very well. They are about to leave this place. 

"Um, we got one more phantom, Gunny!" Norman shouted. They see the phantom coming, but it drops out of the infantry until it reveals a Jiralhanae Chieftain. That was bad news for them since Chieftain has the dread gravity hammers.

"Look out! Chieftain! Scatter!" Buck shouted. Jiralhanae Bracktanus kills the NMPD officer with his hammer. It was not a pretty sight to see. Romeo grabbed his sniper rifle and fired at the Jiralhanae Chieftain. It collapsed his shield, but the shockwave of the hammer sends the sniper back into the barrier. He slams the hammer's blade to Romeo's chest.

"Romeo!" Iris shouted. She sees that Romeo's sniper rifle gets caught on JIralhanae Hammer. It was thrown if off to send the mangled weapon to the streets below. Everyone has to do something to stop the Chieftain, who gives a victorious roar to finish off Romeo.

Buck jumps on its back and stabs JIralhanae in the neck with his combat knife. Norman jumps as well to stab it in the neck as well with his combat knife. The Jiralhanae chokes and gurles while stumbling around the landing pad. Both Mickey and Maylene tried to aim their shotguns, but were unable to get a clear shot. It was not until Dutch, Flannery, and Whitney shouldered the charges it to finish it.

"Get. This. Thing. Off. Of. Us." Buck said muffled. Buck and Norman are under the dead Chieftain as they wave their waves off. Iris came with the medical bioform, thanks to Gardenia, to patch him up. It was a very close call despite the loss of the NMPD officer. Everyone is gathering what ammo, equipment, and what they can carry.

"How bad?" Iris asked. Buck and others gathered by Romeo, who cough and wheeze. Buck and Norman take out the combat knife from the Jiralhanae's neck. Romeo's chest has blood sprays out before Iris puts the medical bioform into his chest.

"Ahh, not good." Romeo said. He sees her depolarized visor. She appeared to be a young African American with dark brownish-red colors in her eyes. Romeo de-polarized his visor and took his hand off the wound to let her do the work to help him recover.

"We're gonna get you outta here," Clay said. Both Clay and Marion helped him get on his feet. They are alive and well, but at the same time they lost people along the way. They look at the sky to see that they have a long way to go. It is unknown where to go.

"Not by air, we're not." Winoa said. She knew that it was their only way out of this joint. It seems that there have to be other ways to get out of this untenable position. If they come back with more phantoms to drop more infantry and banshees, they are not going to last long. 

"It's alright. I know another way." Buck said. He looks into the distance. He knows that they have to find a proper destination since he is backed up by other squads and the ONI security team. It seems they are going to stick together no matter what.

Chapter Text

The rain continues to pour down into the streets of New Mombasa. It is very uneasy and unsettling regarding what is happening. The group on the street level. Brock, Misty, Erika, Rookie, and Lt. Surge are presented. They can hear the thunder in the distance. Lt. Surge tries to straighten the sniper rifle, but has no success.

"Ah, it's useless." Lt. Surge said. He throws the mangled sniper rifle away. Rookie scans the area, but he puts his finger on the chin of his helmet. He uses his other free hand to tap his side helmet as he is in thinking mode. Brock checked the corners, but no Covenant in sight. 

"You think there are others out here?" Erika asked. Misty shrugged to consider what their best option is for now. They can just find a position to hole up. Another option is to find more clues to find the rest of Rookie's team. Lt. Surge kneels down as he holds his sniper rifle. He is having a moment to think about why he is in the conflict.

Year 2529

Finishing Officer's school for UNSC Marine Corps, he gained the rank of Second Lieutenant about six years ago in 2523. He was assigned to one of the USNC warships. He was assigned to one of the Marine platoons. His role was simply to patrol the region to scout out any potential insurrectionists who had bright ideas to cause trouble. 

"Hey, Lt." Another UNSC officer said. Lt. Surge saluted his superior as he eased him down. It is the mess hall's officers' section where the crew is having a good time with their meals. There was something on his mind. It was something he needed to know. His superior officer was in his late thirties who seen much action, but there was something else in his dark grey hair.

"Sir, do you think that we would face any rebels? I swear they pop out like...fleas after giving a dog a bath once and awhile." Lt. Surge said. His superior shrugged to consider that it might be the possibilities. There is something else as well in his mind.

"There are rumors that we would be deployed in the outer colonies. But between you and me, it's not rebels if you're asking." His superior officer said. Lt. Surge widened his eyes to consider that he had heard stories about the Harvest having made an alien contract.

"You mean...the Harvest campaign?" Lt. Surge asked. His superior officer nodded. They have been called up to retake the planet alongside UNSC Spirit of Fire to regain control of the planet. It has been four years for them to fight a new enemy called the Covenant.

"Yep, we have been deployed to that miserable planet. We assumed it was secured, but they keep coming back. Our platoon is being tasked to redeploy to that planet. I studied the enemy. These are not your typical insurrectionists. These are alien bastards we've never seen before." His superior officer asked.

"I'm sure if they can bleed, then we can kill them, right?" Lt. Surge asked. His superior crossed his arms to suggest that he has doubts about whether they can. There were reports that they can be killed, which requires a lot of firepower to make it work.

"Sure, but don't count it too soon. By the way, I heard from our bureaucrats that they are trying to elevate your performance to allow you to enter the ODSTs." His superior officer said. This made Surge surprised that his becoming an ODST was a rare chance for a Marine like himself to earn the status of one.

"But they said that if you survive this campaign, they will let you in. Is that what you want, Lt. Guile Surge?" His superior officer said. Surge looks at his coffee cup. He smiled to consider that he would become an ODST was his dream. 

"Oh, yea. Hells yea, sir." Lt. Surge said. He was granted to see the promotion to be part of the ODSTs was his dream to continue his family's tradition of serving in the military. His ancestors have fought in the United States military since the War of Independence. All of his ancestors had bled, been wounded, and sometimes killed in all conflicts of every single American war. 

"Do your best to come back alive." His superior officer said. It was this moment that, during the Harvest campaign, would be one thing that Surge would find: fighting the insurrectionists was not the same as fighting the Covenant. He found that the Covenant had superior tech and numbers. He and his superior fought them, but found their losses were appalling.

In one night, he and his superior were leading the platoon until they were ambushed by Covenant forces who managed to nearly overwhelm their position. Surge fought with tooth and nail to drive them back. He sees his fellow UNSC Marines are getting killed outright, even having no chance to fight back as Sangheili drives the energy sword to the abodeman. His superior officer managed to prevent Sangheili from stabbing him by allowing him to stab him in the chest while Surge finished it with his pistol. 

"Oh, god. I'm dying this time." His superior officer said as he saw that the energy sword stabbed his chest. It was no way for him for medical team to arrive on time. Surge holds his superior officer as he sees that the rest of the platoon is gone. It is just him while there are corpses of Covenant and UNSC Marines. 

"Sir, our entire platoon...they're wasted. I call for evac." Surge said as he looked at his superior with a sad look. There is something that he and his superior had fought together for six years. He was his most trusted officer in the field who made the right calls.

"Don't make my mistake, kid. I have been following orders my whole life. I've seen enough war in my lifetime. When you become an ODST, save everyone you can. This is not a war. It's extermination. Don't throw your life away. Just believe in yourself." His superior officer said before he gave up.

"Sir?" Surge said. He lowered his head as he held his superior officer. He felt that the loss was the one he had to bear. The official UNSC report stated that Surge was the only survivor of his platoon. He was recommended to be transferred to ODST with his first Lieutenant rank. 

Year 2552

Lt. Surge is now wondering if, no matter how he fought against the Covenant, they just kept coming. He lost fellow ODSTs. He was always alive in those engagements. He's like he has been cursed. All platoons he commanded, they just ended up dying, nearly destroyed, and even decimated. The commanding officers saw him as a good officer, but the burden of each life lost was piling up on him. 

"Why?" Lt. Surge asked. He looks up into the sky where the rain continued to fall. He looks back at the ground. He wondered if he had given up his life to his superior officer. Rookie looks at Surge alongside Misty. Brock and Erika are waiting for them to go. Rookie taps his helmet to give information to Surge to see the next beacon in his HUD.

"Sir, your orders?" Misty asked. Lt. Surge looks at Rookie, Misty, Brock, and Erika. He is an active officer in the field. But, like he was once a junior officer years ago, he does listen to his NCOs. All his NCOs had given their lives to make sure that he could do his duty.

"Alright, let's continue. Thanks, Rookie. You're very reliable, although your silence speaks more than words. Shall we?" Lt. Surge said. He slammed a new, fresh magazine in his sniper rifle. Brock is the point man while others follow behind. 

They continue to move along the streets, and as they encounter Covenant forces along their way, they head to the entrance known as the Kikowani station. The beacon stated it is located in that station. They lift the shutters open as Brock holds them, while others get inside before Brock does. The Rookie finds a biofoam cnaister. He exies it. He feels the shutter is not fully closed. 

How bad? Iris asked via flashback. Rookie pondered for a moment to consider whether it was the same canister. He inspects it more carefully. It appears to be used, but there is something he could theorize on what happened before. He thinks about it.

"We're gonna get you outta here." Clay said via flashback. Rookie looks into the darkness of the not fully closed shutters. He thought about what happened next. After the Covenant forces raided the New Mombasa police headquarters building, they had to leave before more came. They must head to ground level to get away from them. He gave something to theorize on what happened. The best possibility could happen.

Chapter Text

Five Hours after the Drop

The squads of Kyushu, Kansai, Hokkaido, and New York, along with Buck, Romeo, Dutch, and Mickey, are moving towards the Kikowani station. Iris and Buck are helping Romeo to walk. Mickey, Liz, Tate, Cilan, Chili, and Cress jump the rail to scout ahead. Steven Stone is alongside Cythina and her ONI security group, composed of twelve members.

"We're almost there." Buck said. They press on. Gardenia is making sure that Romeo is doing well, but she noticed that Romeo is having difficulty breathing. She checks her medical pack. She is aware that something is not right. That's when Romeo speaks up.

"Put...Put me down, put me down for a sec." Romeo demanded. Gardenia taps to Buck to urge everyone to stop for now. Steven Stone sees this as he urged Cythina to stop the movement. Cythina stops everyone and urged to make a defensive perimeter. Buck puts Romeo against a wall.

"Gardenia, medkit." Buck ordered. Gardenia checks her bag, but Dutch offers his to her. She thanked him. Gardenia kneels to apply the bioform. She checks on Romeo, and she notices something. This is more serious than before. It was a deep wound that surfaced.

"What's wrong with him?" Dutch asked. Gardenia takes out her medical scanner. It has an X-ray scanning mode to check his lungs. She feared the worst. The gravity hammer of the Jiralhanae didn't just puncture his armor; it managed to reach his lung, even leaking air.

"Sir, Romeo has a punctured lung. Iris managed to save him for a few hours, but I can apply it again with more bioform to buy him some time." Gardenia said. She finishes scanning the wound. Romeo begins coughing and choking. She did fill the wound with biofoam more accurately.

"He's got a punctured lung, can't breathe," Buck said. Iris looks at Buck with concern. Norman and Falkner are concerned about Romeo's status. Gardenia finishes helping Romeo to his feet as he takes several deep breaths. Buck looked concerned as he jumped for a bit.

"Better?" Buck asked. Romeo flexes his arms, but it is what Gardenia feared the most. In the medical field, she knows that it may appear they are all right, but the medical biofoam is merely temporary, meant to ease the pain. Like painkillers, they don't last long.

"Sir, if we don't find transport soon, Romeo might not last long because I merely delayed his lungs from leaking air. It's very deep. I only applied deep enough to last for about ten hours. With proper medical equipment, we can fix up fresh and new." Gardenia explained.

"That means we have to move fast." Steven Stone said. They knew time was essential. Romeo is on borrowed time before the time resumes; he will choke and die without air. Iris sees this with concern and worries if that was going to be hard to witness.

"N..now what?" Romeo asked. That's when Shauntal and Fantine are taking out their data pads to look for the best possible way to get out of the area and find something to get out of the city. They need a transport to find any nearby UNSC Forces in the area.

"Trains ran underground up to the old city, we're gonna find one of the tunnels, walk on outta here. Buck said. He sees this while Romeo takes out the canister. He threw it nearby on the floor. Gardenia is calling out for a stretcher volunteer. Cilian, Chili, and Cress volunteered to carry him while Cilian is making sure that his brothers will be protected.

"Ugh...you guys are gonna carry all the way, sweethearts?" Romeo sarcastically said. He was placed on the stretcher. Chili and Cress lifted the stretcher while Cilian reloaded his M7S SMG. Garendia is next to Romeo as she is making sure that he doesn't strain himself.

"Was planning on it, but, now that you're feeling better..." Buck said. Gardenia knew better that to allow the biofoam to last longer is not to perform any combat for the time being. They have enough to break any Covenant forces in their way as long as they don't do anything reckless.

"Now, Romeo. Just shut up and don't talk too much. The more you talk, the foam will dissolve. I will be checking with you this entire time." Gardenia said. Iris stands next to Gardenia. Romeo is great; he gets popular with the ladies, which would be his dream come true.

"Get the door!" Buck shouted. Elesa gets her hacking device to open the door to the ticket booth. Dutch entered the booth to open the security shutter. The phantom is flying overhead, carrying Huargok underneath it. Everyone got inside quickly before it could spot them. Gardenia picks up the empty canister that Romeo dropped as she places it under the door in hopes that if anyone is lost might find where they are. The shutter stops just as it was about being fully closed.

"Gunny...you're gonna wanna see this." Mickey said. They continued to see that the entire area tunnel system is flooded.  It seems they have a problem at hand. It seems that they got to cross the tunnels by other means. Buck looks around to assess the problem. Others like Colonel Steven Stone, ONI agent Cythina, and other squad leaders of Kyushu, Hokkaido, Kansai, and New York are wondering what to do.

"This means we're screwed, right?" Mickey asked. They are still thinking about it. The trains are one thing, but they are not meant to punch through the flooded waters. Norman sees this as a problem. One train is busted and wrecked. Lenora is wondering what they would do if it were similar to New York City. Buck looks up.

"Not yet. Wait here. We're gonna steal that ride. It's landing, now's our chance! Mickey! Kansai! Kyushu! Hokkaido! New York! You're with me! Gardenia, Iris, Cilian, Chili, and Cress stay with Romeo. Make sure that he is still alive. I may not trust you, but it's your call, Cythina." Buck ordered. The ONI group has its own orders as well, but they help out anyway. Mickey looks and shrugs as Buck nods.

"Well, we have our orders. Let's proceed Gunny." Cythina said. The team moved out as they knew that they had to proceed. They got Winona up as they know who will pilot the phantom. It is simply what they have to proceed to take out the Covenant forces in that area.

"Gunny, I can fly a Pelican, but a Phantom? It's been years since I even ran a simulation!" Mickey whined. But Winoa is not having of his complaining. They have a mission to press on. She has to do the work since they have to handle the situation at hand.

"Not less, I am flying. You are going to be my co-pilot." Winona said. She is going to need someone to take the flight control sticks. Not only that, she is going to need a crew to power up the weapon systems. Based on her calculations, she can fit everyone inside the troop bay of the phantom.

"Well, let's see what you remember, pilot, move!" Buck said. They press on to engage the Covenant troops by that phantom. Another that lands soon after to drop some Huragok. The second Phantom leaves after it drops its troops, while the first one stays. 

"Gunny, more of those floating squids. Should we smoke 'em?" Mickey asked. They are looking at Buck to wait for a confirmation to engage them. They appear to be defenseless, but they are merely suicide bombers. They are aware of the rules of engagement.

"We should smoke them." Whitney shouted. Flannery and Brawly looked at Whitney's bravado as a means. Buck knew that they had no choice. Buck decided there was no time to discuss the potential war crimes they might have faced. They might have dealt with a court-martial instead.

"They're between us and that Phantom, what do you think?" Buck asked. It gives them the signal to open fire upon them. They have no time to debate the morality of war as they clear them out. Jasmine felt pity for the creatures. She leans over to see the corpse of Huragok.

"I feel sorry for them. They are living beings." Jasmine said. She touches the armor of the Huragok. She wondered if there was one creature that was friendly to the UNSC or humanity in general. It would be something to worth considering that relations between them would be nice.

"We can worry about that later," Whitney said. She knew that Jasmine was strong, but she knew that she had a gentle soul deep in her armor. She has been with the Kansai squad for years. They were once a proud full-strength squad in 2536, but they lost so many that reduced to just Falkner, Bugsy, Whitney, Jasmine, and Chuck. 

"Go, Mickey. Winona, Up the lify, kill the pilots. Back them up if you can." Buck said. Mickey and Winona made their lift. They have to wait until they get the feel of the gravity leaving them. They got help from other ONI agents who are going to help them out.

"Here goes nothing!" Winona said. They got the Phantom's lift. They heard SMG shots. It is noted that they have taken out the pilots. It is going to take time for Winoa to take the pilot's seat while Mickey takes the co-pilot seat of the Phantom.

"Cabin secured. Flight control read green across the board...well, purple, but she's good to go." Winona said. She has flown a Phantom before. It was during her previous spec op missions where they managed to capture a phantom in a careful disrection matter to study their tech. 

"Ok, I'll grab a Banshee, you go get the others." Buck said. Falkner knew that Buck can't do this alone. He's going to need backup for this. It is going to be a fight ahead of them. The covenant forces are not going to be easy for them. They must press forward into the tunnels.

"I'm grabbing a banshee too. We cover our rears." Falkner said. He jumps into the next banshee next to Buck. Buck gives a thumbs-up to Falkner. He knows that Falkner is a great jumper, while he is also a pilot, making him one of the best ODST in the field.

"On my way" Winoa said over the coms. She sets the phantom to them. Chili and Cress picked up Romeo while Cilian folded the stretcher. All squads and remaining members on the ground are preparing to get aboard the phantom. It is time for them to get out.

Once they get inside of the troop bay, they are going to need side door gunners to provide cover fire. Whitney took the left side, and Crasher Wake took the right side of the door gunner. They got the plasma turrets ready to go. Winoa takes the signal to head out. 

"All set back there?" Mickey asked. They signaled that everyone is fine while they are all ready to go. They fly out into the tunnels, but they spotted the Ket-pattern battlecrusiers. They saw it was flying around a burning crater. They wanted to know about it, but no time to know where it is going.

They engaged covenant forces whom they are from nearby platforms and balconies. They were tough, but due to their skills managed to clear them out. It was not hard for them to clear them out on time. Both Buck and Falkner engaged in dogfighting against Banshees. They did take them, but they got damaged in the process.

"Falkner, you doing okay?" Buck asked. He sees that Falkner's Banshee is slightly damaged, but not by a lot. Falkner managed to take out three Jiralhanae-piloted Banshees on his own, but one he took out when it was chasing Buck. Buck felt relieved that Falkner was okay.

"My bird is hit, but it's functional. If we find fresh grounds in the ground and disable the damaged ones, we can press on." Falkner responded. He knew that Covenant had more machines lying around. They commented that Covenant has endless machines, but their troops, despite their numerical superiority, lack quality in skill. 

"Well, we are encountering more Covenant forces dead ahead. They are dropping off more engineers at the Recharge station. It appears that they are using it to recharge their engineers." Winoa said over the coms. They knew that they were going to torch the place down.

"It seems the Covenant is picking up a good fight, but we have to press on." Steven Stone said. He stands by the cockpit of the phantom to see the visual screen of the tunnels. Cythina is next to him while they see a locked door to the next area.

"Buck, you think you can hit the switch to open the door?" Cythina asked. Buck didn't need to respond as he flew down while Falkner is covering him by air. Buck got off the Banshee to open the switch to open the door. The door is opening up manually.

"Door's open, Falkner and I go first." Buck said. They knew that there might be an ambush. They want to make sure that they don't get attacked by incoming Covenant forces. The Phantom follows behind them. They are about to encounter more covenant forces.

"Roger that, following your lead." Winona said over the coms. She guides the phantom while Crasher Wake and Whitney are pouring suppressing fire upon Covenant forces. There is Sidney, who is controlling the nose turret against the Covenant forces.

They are inside of the next section. The large squad of Unggoy was waiting, but was destroyed easily while another Phantom is dropping more Huragok into the recharge station before it was destroyed by Crasher Wake's plasma turret. They were eliminated as they pressed on to the next area to find more recharge stations with phantom dropping off AA Wrath. More Unggoy and Jiralhanae, including those armed with fuel rod cannons, but challenging it was, they were able to clear them out. They found that the door is locked.

"Gunny, another locked door, hit the override." Mickey said. Buck lands his banshee on the ground. He gets off while Falkner is providing cover. Buck reaches for the override. There is something wrong with the door as it sounds jammed. It was not very good at all.

"Damn, door's jammed. Must've lost power." Mickey said over the coms. He knew that the best way to open it was simply to go to the other side and see if he could open it without complications. He sees that Falkner is landing his Banshee next to him. Falkner dismounts the Banshee.

"We'll head through on foot, see if I can find a work around inside the tunnel." Buck said. He looks at Falkner. They proceed to enter the other side. Falkner watches his rear with his M7S and sniper rifle on the tow. The Phantom is hovering by the entrance of the hole.

"Go on in, Gunny, We'll cover the door, make sure no one gets in behind you." Dutch said over the coms. Buck and Falkner head into the tunnel. They found Covenant forces, including Jirlahane Stalkers and Jiralhnaae Chieftain. Falkner managed to take down the Chieftain with his sniper rifle while Buck made short work of the Jiralhanae Stalkers.

"Gunny, check the far end of the tunnel, might be a backup generator" Wattson suggested. They both find the room. Buck flips the switch. It appears to be stalling for a bit until they hear the humming of the activation of the generator. 

"That did it! Door's Open." Cynthia said. Both Buck and Falkner made their back to their Banshees as the doors opened. They hop into their Banshee to proceed to the next area. They found something that was a worse thing to happen to them.

"Troopers, I got bad news." Buck said. He sees a Scarab next door. This Scarab was not the same one that was rampaging on New Mombasa hours ago; it was a smaller but militarized version of the vehicle. Both Falkner and Buck dodged the firing range of the Scarab.

"What, you really are gonna make us walk outta this city?" Romeo said over the coms. They know that they have to deal with the Scarab, but the Phantom is an easy target for the Scarab that might be destroyed in a few shots. They know they must destroy it.

"We got a Scarab, right by our exit." Falkner said. He dodges the incoming Scarab's defenders, especially Unggoy in their plasma turrets firing wildly at him. Buck sees this as a tedious position that must be dealt with right away. They must act.

"Ah! This is the best mission ever!" Volkner shouted. He was in the thick of the mission as he can enjoy the last moment to think that he got his glory, but he did not wish to be the end of his times. That is something that must be conducted.

"Buck, try to land on top of the Scarab. I distract the Scarab." Falkner said. He flies around the Scarab, which the crew and the vehicle are trying to land a shot on Falkner's Banshee. Buck takes this as an opportunity to land his Banshee. He jumps off to see the Scarab's weakest spot. The worms are piloting the vehicle. He used his M7S to break the shields before he finished it off with a frag grenade. 

"It's going to blow!" Buck shouted. He runs up to the top of the Scarab to hop into his banshee. He flied up while the Scarab indeed exploded in its husk, once its former self with the crew dead. It was a wonderful explosion as well. The Scarab was no more.

"Let's get out of here! Let's blow those Recharge stations!" Buck said. He destroys them with his banshee's fuel rod cannon. It caused a chain reaction at the stations, leading to a massive explosion as well. Once they were done, both Falkner and Buck decided to ditch their banshees as they were picked up by a grav lift.

"Keep her steady, Winona." Buck said. They got inside the troop transport. They feel relieved that Buck and Dlakner are going to be okay. It would be the last since they have to do something in their situation. They are glad to leave the forsaken place.

"Just glad we didn't go with your first plan. Look at those tunnels. Ones that aren't flooded are probably... packed with Buggers. Hell, I wouldn't go down there even if you ordered me to," Romeo said. There was something in Buck's mind. He remembered something.

"Come on, Veroncia! What could be more important than that carrier?" Buck said via flashback. It was something that Veroncia had something to do with a mission that he had never heard of before. There was something that meant for another ONI agent; Looker would be there as well.

"My Orders. And Buck? Call me Captain." Veronica said via flashback. Cythina and her ONI group appear before Buck. Buck sees them and knows where he needs to go. There was something that he might thank where she is. He decided to take it.

"Winona, turn around! Find a safe place to set us down!" Buck ordered. Winona was surprised to hear something from Buck. She wanted to know why he is ordering her to set the Phantom down. It was a risky idea to begin with. It was something that Cythina and other ONI agents were confused by his actions.

"What? Why?" WInona asked. The rest of the ODSTs were wondering why Buck wanted to return to the city and its tunnels. They know that it is swarming with Covenant. Any trip there was asking to be killed. They cannot risk one of their lives based on a hunch.

"I lost something! Now I know where to find her." Buck said. Cythina nodded as she acknowledged that Buck is going back for Veronica. Cythina has her own mission. She must find Looker as well. They are not alone in this. The Phantom turns back to the city. It was the race to find the answers.