ODST Operation SANDTRAP

by RCT DELTA 20

After returning from space, HELLFIRE must now journey underground to find a way to the ark, but with Falling now appearing underground, and the infection spreading in Delta, time is running out for everyone.

1. Chapter 1

ODST OPERATION: SANDTRAP

Part 1

It has been 5 hours since the destruction of the orbital elevator. The UNSC had been given a small report on what happened on the station and decided that the Falling were a new threat to humanity and assigned several squads of ODSTs to Professor Crow's dig site to recover whatever intelligence they could on the Falling and to find the other prism uncovered at the dig site. Among these squads was HELLFIRE.

"Delta, how are you holding up?" Irish asked.

"Well, considering that I have 9 broken ribs, an alien virus inside me and a killer headache, I feel great!" Delta replied, a smile on his face. His helmet had been destroyed in their escape so he was given a different ODST helmet until his new helmet could he brought to him. Sadly, that wouldn't be for another few weeks.

"Hay, stop complaining." Assrak said from the other side of the hanger bay. He was in a wheelchair as he had seriously damaged his spin. The damage was repairable but he would have to stay off his feet for a few months. "At least you're able to keep fighting. I'll be in this thing for a long while."

"We know, now stop going on about it." A voice said from behind Assrak. Emerging from a briefing room was HELLFIRE's joint second-in command (next to Delta) KING. Like Irish, King was a veteran sniper from the Human-Covenant War. He was also a Lieutenant, mostly because he refused to be promoted and transferred to a different squad.

"Yeah Assrak. You'll be back on your feet in no time." Irish said.

"ALL LANDING SQUADS TO YOUR STATIONS. REPEAT, ALL LANDING SQUADS TO YOUR STATION. ETA TO DROPZONE, 5 MINUTES." A voice called over the intercom.

"Well, time to get to work." King said. "Irish, you're riding with me. Delta, I think Gustew and Viper are going with you."

"Right. Whoever gets there first wins." Delta said putting his replacement helmet on.

"You take it easy Delta." Irish said.

"Same to you. Both of you." Delta said as he walked off to his warthog. He walked to the far side of the hanger and spotted his warthog. Gustew and Viper had already taken their seats, Gustew on the gun, Viper in the passenger seat. "Hay guys." Delta called.

"Delta. How are you feeling?" Gustew asked.

"Better but let's not dwell on the past. Right now, we have a job to do." Delta replied. He looked a Viper. "What's up?"

"I just can't get Titan's face out of my head." He said.

"You know that that wasn't your fault." Delta said.

"I know, but if we do find any Falling down there, I'll kill every last one of them."

"Join the club, we've got jackets." Delta said.

"Seriously?" Gustew asked.

"No. I'm joking." Delta replied. "But that isn't a bad idea. Do you remember the plan?"

"Yep." Viper said though Gustew looked puzzled.

"There's a plan? I thought we just went in guns blazing."

"Well, there is that, but we still have to reach the dig site. The plan is that we shall split into 3 convoys. Each convoy will proceed towards the dig site from 3 different directions, though we'll be travelling in the same direction for phase 1. Phase 2 will see us splitting up and regrouping at the dig site, as there have been reports of rebels in the area. Phase 3 is, upon reaching the facility, grabbing any relevant data we can plus the second prism. Phase 4 is to destroy the remaining data."

"They said that it was rebels that attacked the orbital elevator, but..."

"I know Viper. I presume that there are Falling in the area, but we're still in contact with the dig team still stationed there. Neither the less. We have a job to do; I will see that we get it done. My life depends on it"

"ALL TEAMS, BEGIN BOARDING YOUR VEHICLES AND PREPARE FOR LANDING. THE OPERATION WILL BEGIN SHORTLY." Delta climbed into the driver's seat and activated the engine just as Viper picked up his BR and Gustew loaded the gun. Delta looked across the hanger and saw Irish and his team mounting up as well. Irish was the driver, King was in the passenger seat, holding his sniper rifle, and a marine was on the turret. Then the ramp began to lower and the bright sunlight shone into the hanger. "ALL TEAMS LAUNCH!"

Delta, and the rest of the other convoy drivers, planted their feet onto the accelerator and flew out of the hanger bay. Operation: Sandtrap had begun.