A/N I own nothing except the OCs and part of the plot. its my first fanfic ever...so please be at least a little nice if you do choose to review. Criticism is always welcome as long as its constructive.

All I could do was stare, sure I had seen ruins before. I had seen more death than most people I knew but this was too much. I had even seen a Reaver being piloted by fellow Gears but this was a first even for me. Where Illema had once stood there was nothing but a my gun a little tighter I just couldn't seem to look away from this horrible sight, dead bodies were scattered in the rubble. The ones who didn't make it out in time, one of them was a girl, she didn't look very old and even though her face was covered with dirt and blood I could tell she was my age. I shivered as the thought of the chance that it could have been me or someone I knew, it never got easier seeing people die.

"Move it Private, we ain't got time for site seein' kid." Barked my Lieutenant.

"Yes sir!" I squeaked as I was quickly brought back to the task at hand. We were to help escort the evacuating citizens in the right direction. A task easier said than done in this chaotic time.

"No! I won't leave!" A woman screeched attempting to push past me and make a break for the gaping hole that was once her home. I held my ground and blocked her with my body.

"I'm sorry ma'am I can't let you go back." I told her, I had rehearsed this line in my head so many times hoping it would sound assuring or commanding but it only sounded feeble. "I understand this is difficult bu-"

"Difficult?!" The hysterical woman yelled right in my face. I cringed as she shoved me with more force than I expected from someone her size. "My whole life is there! I have to-I have to go home! I just want to go home!" She began to sob.

"I understand bu-"

"No! You don't understand!" The woman snapped now enraged. Her small fists smashed against my breastplate as she tried to get past me and failed.

"Restrain that civilian!" I heard my Lieutenant bark to another COG nearby.

They dragged the woman off kicking and screaming. The Lieutenant patted my shoulder hard; his attempt to ease my tension I could assume. He was easily 6'2 and 200 pounds. He towered over me. Heck everyone did even the other female soldiers; I was 5'4 and 125 pounds the smallest girl here I would venture to guess. The only reason I was probably here was because they needed the numbers and they didn't care how they got them.

"Back to work!" He bellowed in his commanding voice. "Get these civilians out of here!"

Then he was gone yet again, most likely to give more orders. The majority of us were new here, dragged into this war because we had no home, nothing left but our lives to fight for. As looked at what once was, I understood what she felt, I had lost everything too. A lot of people had. I straightened up and returned to the task at hand. The day had just begun.

A/N I like to think this chapter went well, If any of you who read this think it's good let me know by reviewing! I may or may not turn this into a full story if I get a decent amount reviews. Also I realize that the story might be off, it's been a while since I've played through the games so any changes that you think need to be made let me know and I'll do my best to correct it. Thank you very much for reading!