A/N: I'm extremely sorry for the long delay everyone. Let's just say that I had a little argument with Verizon about my internet and cable bill. Long story short they shut off my cable and internet on May 1st. I'm being forced to pay these ridiculous amounts of money for barely any use. So as soon as I get my internet back which should be whenever you are reading this, I will update 'Halo: Sniper Chronicles' as soon as I can, which is now. Anyway enjoy.

January 1st, 2545. The time is 14:30.

The crosshairs lingered, for merely a few seconds, on the lifeless Elite corpse. His analysis, like always, was right and the enemy ground troop would not be returning to battle ever again. Never again would that alien return to the land of living. Maybe it had a family back on its home planet, waiting anxiously for its return. Now the only thing the family would get is probably some stupid letter telling them how their father/husband died valiantly in the war, fighting the enemy.

The look of shock was evident on the Elites face. His last thought was interrupted suddenly by a bullet to the forehead. A bullet that came out of nowhere, never being able to find out where it came from and who did it. For a second he truly understood why people around him called him by 'The Left Hand of God'. He had the power to end a living person's life with just the pull of a trigger. An invisible bullet that sent them straight to heaven or hell. The judge, jury and executer.

Sergeant Edward Hernandez shook his head lightly of the ridiculous thoughts. Who gave a shit what happened? In this fucked up war every soldier has a family that they would most likely never see again. People just had to suck it up and expect that when one of their loved ones sign up to go and fight.

'Focus' he scolded himself 'Forget everything, just do what you do best and analyze'. Sergeant Hernandez's mind immediately expanded. Hundreds upon thousands of pieces of information floated through his working brain. An average AI would be impressed at the speed of this human's brain. Especially compared to the average Marine's brain pattern.

Ok. Start small.

Analyzing surroundings. Currently taking refuge in meeting room 4A, North West corner of floor 48. Building in question, Misriah weapons administration building. Total of 50 floors. As of now civilian population inside was 0. Room 4A is rectangular in shape with glass windows, most of them shattered and a large oak wood table that could probably fit about 30 people at once. Two corpses laid in the corner, covered in their own life juices. Several plasma holes in both the chest and abdomen. Dead long before any UNSC ground intervention. The walls as well were covered in human blood. Their once blue painted was now stained.

'Good' Eddy smirked slightly 'Now go bigger'.

Planet Articus IV Extremely cold climate, snow storms frequent. 15,273 kilometers in diameter, able to hold the same atmosphere as mankind's original planet, Earth. Population just over 500 million, less than 2 percent being any and all military forces. No orbital defense platforms stationed in space and only a single Charon-class light frigate was present at time of Covenant encounter. 4 plus CCS-class cruisers successfully destroyed the UNSC frigate, killing about 75 percent of the sailors on board.

Eddy decided he wouldn't punish himself for the deaths of those on the Charon-class frigate. Seeing as though his expertise wouldn't help in any sort of space fight. In the end it wasn't his decision to make unfortunately.

The Capitol city of Château was the first to feel the wrath of the Covenant. Plasma bombs dropped from the sky while hunting party's scowered the city looking for any and all humans to kill. There was no warning, nothing to give most of them a chance to hide. This city was where he was currently killing the enemy from high a top, his crow's nest. The designated mission he was given was simple. Even though it seemed less than likely, the Marine ground forces were successfully able to force the Covenant out of the city. Creating a timeline for pelicans to land in the middle of the city and evacuate civilians. But just like anyone could have predicted the Covenant came back.

Defense fortifications were set up around the city. But the brass knew the outcome. Eddy knew that a lot of personnel were going to die while defending the city. Not all of the civilians would get out either, a reality that no one would admit out loud, well except for him. It's good for people to say the truth out loud instead of keeping possible important details out. If it hurt the person you were telling then that's too bad.

The city was about 7 miles in radius with hundreds of houses, apartments and hotels. According to his research this capital city was one of the most flourishing in the entire UNSC. But in the end of it all what did that get you? Absolutely fucking nothing. The covenant weren't going to stop invading a city and refrain from glassing it just because the city looked nice. People needed to wake up from their delusional dream and realize the Covenant threat.

After finishing his complete analysis Eddy pulled back on the bolt, entering a new bullet into the chamber for his FN M107 Intervention Rifle. This rifle, completely different from the other sniper models, due to the fact that it was bolt action. Not only that but it was smaller compared to the widely used SRS99AM Anti-Materiel Rifle, coming in at a small 126 cm while the SRS was 168 cm. the scope in his opinion was better and the range. Oh boy…

The range limit for this bad boy was 3,500 yards. Easily kicking the shit out of its larger counterpart. This was what he loved about this rifle the most. Some shots that he knew from experience would never have been made with the SRS were made with the FN M107.

While Eddy was currently day dreaming about his beloved sniper he hadn't noticed quit the snow pile that was forming on the barrel. He scowled and wiped the white powdery substance off into the blowing wind. The climate temperature inside his helmet and suit was really kicking it into overdrive at the moment to try and keep his body temp at an even 98.1 degrees Fahrenheit.

He continued to wipe off the snow that landed on him through the broken window he was aiming through and noticed that the outside temperature was currently negative 18 degrees Fahrenheit. The marines must be freezing their asses just wearing some winter fatigues. Not that he cared in the slightest, its every man for himself out on the battlefield, that's how he saw it.

New target. Grunt. 4-Foot-3 inches. Minor class. Probable male. Range 1,911 yards. Pattern of movement, east, retreating from detonation of UNSC standard issue fragmentation grenade thrown by an operator inside of Charlie fortification. Wind speed 17 MPH.

"Forgive me lord for I have sinned".

Sergeant Hernandez pulled the trigger and felt the same kickback as the weapon discharged.

14.5x114mm armor piercing round successfully collides with tangos methane tank. Small explosion occurs causing the small body to propel into the air 5 feet. Several vital organs pierced by shrapnel, along with multiple rib fractures. Massive internal bleeding present as body makes contact with the hard snow filled ground. Kill. Confirmed.

1,535.

Repeating the bullet filling process Sergeant Hernandez took his eyes out of his scope. The sleek silence he once held while neutralizing several targets quickly faded away as the background noise, as he liked to call it, came through his public comm line. Filling his ears with multiple voices.

"This is Alpha squad." The voice of a hysterical female Marine came over the line. "Our front defensive line has been breached by 50 plus ground troops with vehicle support. Retreating to secondary positions, be advised our numbers are dwindling to the teens, reinforcements are needed immediately."

Eddy mentally blocked out that communication. Alpha fortification was not in his line of sight. There was nothing that he could do to help.

"Pelican Delta 323. Gotta 'nother batch of civvies ready to get on the next ride outta here. Taking multiple hits from a few banshees on my six. Engines are at 65 percent. A few escorts would be nice".

That one was also pushed to the back of his head. Not knowing how to fly a Hornet would not be helpful at all to someone who needs air protection. Also his, what sounded like a southern accent, was irritating him insanely.

Nothing too serious that caught his attention. Even though the UNSC force was about to crumble in around 25 minutes nothing extremely serious was catching his attention. Eddy was about to return to his own peace and quiet when the radio crackled to life once again.

"Sergeant Hernandez!" at the sound of his identification a small patch of curiosity brandished its way into his stomach. Never before had anyone personally called for him. The process was usually someone saying they needed help in general and he would oblige. Without ever actually knowing who saved their ass.

Acting on that curiosity, Sergeant Hernandez slowly brought his hand up to the side of his helmet and pressed down on a black button sitting there. "This is Sergeant Hernandez". His voice was coarse and his throat dry like sandpaper. He needed a good swig of water, it's been well over a day since something to drink. But hey something even as simple as drinking water is a privilege in this war. A privilege many had, except for him of course.

Eddy didn't have time to drink water. He has to kill the Covenant. When everything is all said and done a nice, tall cup full of H2O would be waiting for him on the Heaven on Earth.

"Sir" a deep voice answered him back with moxy and a weird calmness to his tone. "Corporal McHale reporting from Echo defense fortification." Eddy continued to listen to the deep voiced Marine while shimmying himself, aiming 600 yards to the southwest of his original spot of Charlie base. His all Seeing Eye then spot Echo base, the closest base to him and the most fucked up.

A large civilian recreational point, also known as something called a shopping mall, was the defense sight for Echo squadron. Seeing as though it covered about ¼ of a mile in length, it seemed to be a perfect place to have the 200 plus Marines hole up. The once glass filled windows that covered the building were shattered and replaced by scrounged up wood to use as cover. Allowing only the barrels of the weapon to peer out into the open, or more specifically the kill zone.

Plasma fire was heavy. From just a quick look around the area, his estimate number of Covenant converging on the defense fortification was in the three hundreds.

They moved in squads, as usual. 2 Elites, 3 Jackals and an average of 6 or 7 Grunts. They clearly outnumbered the Marines but like a good war strategist, this is where the tactical advantage came in. The squads of aliens had to cross a large parking lot to reach the mall. About 100 feet from the entrance of the mall was a street full of dead Covenant bodies. From that point on there was absolutely no cover for the attacking squadrons. Not even a stray civilian ground transport that one could use for quick defense and get their bearings together.

A main flaw with these Elites was their honor. Ed didn't think anyone in the UNSC noticed it but the Elites would risk their own lives for stupid tasks. He's seen it many times, more then he can count on one finger. For example, when a high ranking Elite official refused to exit his protective tent in the middle of camp. All you had to do is kill one of his 'brothers' so to speak. Then watch as the idiot of a leader disregarded everything his personal honor guards said and break out into the open to find the shooter. See? Easy as that.

So when it came to this street full of bodies, the Elite leaders of their own squads would rush in anyway. With no cover Ed was sure that the designated marksmen inside the mall were having a sort of field day with this. Easily picking off the Elites and watching as the Grunts and Jackals went into a frenzy, running in circles, becoming easy targets for the entire Marine force.

Eddy gave it his sign of approval. Even though the building the Marines were holed up in was already starting to melt away from the intense plasma fire, it looked as though Echo fortification would last the longest out of all.

"I have eyes on your position Corporal, what is it you need me to do?"

"Grenade! Get down!" Eddy moved his scope back to the building just in time to see 2 plasma grenades attached to one of the window barricades on the second floor. The explosion sound was heard through the comm and so was the defining sound of the outer wall blowing off completely. Compromising several Marines position.

"Sergeant, sir." The man with the deep voice coughed and began his request. "A Pelican will be here in 1 minute to pick up the wounded. It's going to land on the ceiling of the shopping mall. I'm requesting heavy sniper support as there have been sightings of several enemy forces carrying fuel rod cannons."

"Copy that Corporal, consider yourself covered from here on out".

Sergeant Hernandez smiled. Time to do what he did best.

Shot after shot equaled kill after kill. No one was safe from his all seeing eye. Some kept moving forward and shooting before being dropped. Others ran, some tried to hide. But in the end the same fate came to those that were selected by his trusty scope. The only thing that he asked in return for all of this of course was that god forgave him for his sins.

By the end of his small spree he had confirmed 17 kills.

1,518.

The Pelican arrived on schedule. "Pelican Bravo 832 is on scene and ready to evacuate the wounded" the woman pilot's voice cut through the comm line he was connected with to the Corporal. Eddy watched intently as the human air transport safely landed on top of the mall, almost immediately several Marines holding occupied stretchers ran towards the lowering ramp.

The injured were plenty. Eddy knew he needed to get these Marines out of here so they could fight to live another day. Investigating the enemy forces for any primary one targets. His clip only had one bullet left and he felt that if he looked away to reload then he would miss an important target. Sergeant Hernandez was fighting within himself to figure out what to do, reload or just hope and pray for the best.

Everything then was squashed. A red armored Elite emerged from behind one of the burning civilian transports, wielding a fuel rod cannon. His target was without a doubt the bird. There was not a slight twitch of hesitation as Sergeant Edward Hernandez aimed the sights to the appropriate firing window and pulled the trigger.

The bullet hit its mark, as always, and the Elite dropped the gun and itself to the floor. A single large hole in the Lamboid structure. Eddy exhaled and licked the single bead of sweat that trembled at his upper lip. The taste of his salty sweat really reminded himself that he needed that water ASAP.

Then it happened…

That single Grunt that stood next to the Elite before it died continued on with its squad leader's task. Eddy watched it pick up the cannon. He pulled back the bolt and did the same as before, aimed before pulling the trigger and…

Nothing.

A 14.5x114mm armor piercing round did not exit the barrel in a fiery haze. At first Ed couldn't figure out why his gun didn't shoot and just like that, he remembered. His gun didn't fire because he didn't reload it.

With unpronounced speed Sergeant Hernandez looked away from his scope, quickly taking out and discarding the empty mag. Then just as fast entering the new fully loaded magazine. Taking aim again, something he now wished he didn't do, Eddy watched as everything happened in an instance.

The Grunt successfully picked up the cannon and just before an armor piercing round went through his fore head, two large balls of plasma were fired.

The Pelican was fully loaded and taking off. The plasma balls made direct contact to the metal hull of the bird. One hit the left engine and the other obliterated the left wing. Plasma started to corrode the metal and the Pelican couldn't handle the sudden damage.

"Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is Pelican Bravo 832. The left wing is fried, altitude is dropping fast. I'm losing her!" The damaged Pelican started a death spin as it approached the unforgiving ice tundra floor. Suddenly the left engine imploded and started a fire in the holding area. Screams of injured Marines being burned alive infiltrated the comm line. "Fire! Out! Put it out! Left engine is dark, its no use. We're going down 300 feet North East of Echo defense fortification, Brace-"

The Pelican hit the ground at an excessive speed of 20 mph and exploded into a fiery inferno in the middle of the Covenant advances. Pieces of the metal bird scattered around landing on top of a few Grunts while also covering a few Elites in the deathly orange flames. There were no survivors in that crash.

Eddy felt sick just looking at the wreck. "Corporal McHale. How many were in that Pelican?"

"Including the pilot's sir, 30 operators of the United Nations Space Command".

The cold felt like it finally kicked in. His suit was compressed tight, impossible for any kind of wind to squeeze through. There was only one logical explanation for this sudden drop in body temperature and he prayed to the lord that it wasn't true.

Looking away from the scope slowly, Eddy craned his head to the left. What he saw made him start to hyperventilate almost immediately. 'She promised' he thought to himself as he couldn't pull his eyes away. 'She promised that she would never do this to me out here'.

In the corner of the room. Standing next to one of the dead corpses of an older gentleman was a small child, girl to be more specific. She was dressed in a sleeping night gown, its color was a snow white, like the weather outside. Eddy couldn't see her face at the moment as her head was pointing down at the ground, along with the fact black hair was grown out so long that the ends of her hair reached just above her bellybutton. The pale skin had bruises covering both her legs and arms. The little girl was simply standing there, not moving and not saying a single word, just looking down.

Eddy felt fear envelope his core. "Please" he genuinely begged, "I am sorry please don't, not here".

A snapping sound broke his trance. His trap was triggered at last, it was about time a squad was sent to dispose of him. Eddy looked to the door behind him for a mere second and then quickly looked to the corner once more. The little girl was gone, the wind simply blowing snow where she once stood.

The fear left just like the girl, blowing in the wind. With that behind him, Eddy prepared for some guests. He picked up his trusty bolt action rifle and holstered it onto one of the metal clamps on his back, deciding that it was time to take out his other toy.

Standing next to the entrance of the door, Eddy pulled out his pump action shotgun. Used specifically for these types of moments. For a few minutes he played the waiting game, hoping with each passing second that his enemy would hurry up and enter already.

He got his wish at last when a foot print suddenly appeared in the snow in the threshold of his door. Jumping forward, he used his weight to his advantage and tackled the cloaked assailant to the floor. He quickly placed his shotgun high enough and pulled the trigger. All of his scattered bullets successfully made contact with the head of an Elite, not just any Elite though. He was currently on top of a headless Zealot.

Its orange dented armor was now covered in its own purple and blue life juices. Eddy was surprised, was he really getting that much attention in the Covenant? So much that they sent a Zealot to finish him off.

The sound of crunching filled the room. 'Not just a single Zealot either'.

Sergeant Hernandez rolled to the right just as an energy sword, which seemed to come out of nowhere, came swinging down. The light sword penetrated the chest plate of the dead Zealot. Eddy hopped up onto his feet just as the cloaking device of the second Zealot de activated.

With a roar of anger the Zealot removed his weapon from his comrade's chest and charged forward at the sniper. Eddy removed his required silenced pistol from his hip holster, his shotgun having slipped from his hands during the roll, and fired several times. The Zealots shields flared slightly from the bullets but didn't stop its charge.

The Alien lowered its shoulder and rammed into Sergeant Hernandez, sending the human backwards and into a wall. A small crater was formed from the impact and he felt as though his head was spinning uncontrollably, there was a small probability he had a concussion as well.

The Zealot didn't give him any time to regain his senses and stabbed forward at Eddy's chest. The hardened ODST sniper quickly sidestepped to the right and turned the tables on his foe. He pushed the Zealot into the crater he once stood in and quickly pinned his right hand to the wall, then like a good strategist Sergeant Hernandez fired his remaining seven shots of M6S ammo into the hand that was holding the energy sword.

Another roar of rage left the mandibles of the Zealot as the sword he wielded flickered until it was deactivated permanently from the damage. Breaking free of the puny humans grasp, the Zealot delivered a punch that would put most Spartans strength to shame. It landed on Eddy's visor and sent him spiraling back about 5 feet to the floor.

Eddy felt the warm liquid gushing down his face. That punch might have just completely shattered his nose. The feeling of blood was a little foreign to Eddy, seeing as though the last time he bled was back at training camp years ago. This Zealot was giving him one helluva fight that's for sure. A fight that he hasn't had in years, it made him feel a little rejuvenated. Too bad it was over now.

The Zealot was slowly walking towards him with a second energy sword drawn, this one a lot smaller in comparison to the other. Like it was a personal dagger for use as a backup. Eddy waited patiently on his stomach for the Zealot to get closer and just as it was about to strike down Eddy rolled onto his back and pulled down on the trigger.

The shotgun blast hit the Zealot in the chest and completely tore through its heavy shield. The pellets tore through its skin afterwards and tore up the internal organs. The blast was big enough to send the Zealots orange armored body back and into the air a few feet.

A loud crash resonated through the office as the wooden desk broke under the dead weight of the Zealot. Eddy wasted no time after killing the two Zealots, he collected his armaments and made sure all of his weapons were reloaded. The last time he checked, Zealots always bring reinforcements with them as a precaution. More trouble was on the way. It was time to get out.

Typing in a private frequency Eddy kept his ears open to a larger area around him. The line was connected instantly, "Pelican Alpha 111 this is Sergeant Hernandez, the crow's nest has been compromised. Requesting immediate evacuation."

"Roger that Sergeant Hernandez" a male with a stuffy British accent answered, his tone a little bored. It should be that way, Alpha 111 was his own private Pelican. Only authorized to pick him up and not others just in case a quick exit was needed. "Things sound pretty quiet in the air over by your position. I'll be setting her down on the roof of the Misriah building, be ready in 2 minutes."

Eddy simply cut the line after that, knowing that was all he needed to hear and the pilot didn't need any form of response. Now with a sense of determination, Eddy started his trek towards the stairs that would lead him to the roof and safety.