ME: Alright guys, here's Chapter Two. I hope you all like it, read and send comments please!
KEYES:
"Two minutes!" Lieutenant Lovell said from his station.
"Alright ladies and gents," Keyes announced via the ship's PA, "the insurgent colony world named Venezia watched as the UNSC Ariadne died and shot at the Monte Cassino when she searched for survivors. Before that, they blew up the local Colonial Authority building, sold stolen weapons to various terrorist organizations and have been a general pain in the ass."
He smiled before continuing. "It's time we give those bastards a spanking! The Infinity, boys and girls, is a giant paddle!"
"HOOYAH!"
"Slipspace deceleration in t-minus thirty seconds Captain," Serina announced.
"Understood," he replied. "Lieutenant Hikowa, shield status?"
"Shields are at one-hundred percent sir," she replied.
Serina began the countdown. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two..."
The Infinity exited slipspace right in the Qab system.
"Wow," said Lovell. "Just about right on target Skipper, on time too. This new precision slipspace navigation tech is gonna revolutionize the entire Navy."
"You got that right Lieutenant," Keyes smiled. "Alright, bring us up on New Tyne. It's the only actual settlement on the planet, meaning that's where Innie HQ'll be."
Serina frowned and chimed in. "Scans reveal no hostile spacecraft in the area Captain," the AI announced. "However, I'm seeing what appears to be fighting in the city."
"The hell?" Lieutenant Hall questioned. "We haven't even sent anyone down there yet, who else could be here besides the Venezians?"
NAOMI:
Since they were part of ONI Section Three-specifically SAD-SOG (Special Activities Dvision-Special Operations Group)-Team Black never would be publicly lauded as heroes like Blue Team.
Not that Naomi, call-sign Black Two, minded at all. Publicity would only give her and her three teammates unnecessary attention-attention that the enemy would use against them.
They were all wearing heavily-modified MJOLNIR armor, equipped with both active camouflage and photoreactive panels for stealth. Naomi carried an M395 DMR and an MA5D ICWS, both equipped with suppressors to reduce their sound and muzzle flash. Normally firepower would've been somewhat reduced, but luckily her Full Metal Jacket rounds had been replaced with M762 SAP-HE ones. Same caliber, more damage.
Team Black had been inserted on Venezia via the prowler Port Stanley shortly after the Battle of Earth, with orders directly from Admiral Parangosky to terminate any URF operations on the planet. So far they had stayed out of New Tyne to maintain secrecy, reporting back to Captain Osman via secure comms.
But not for any longer.
"Black One," said Osman, "Port Stanley Actual. Radio check, over."
"Ma'am," their leader replied, "I'm reading you five-by-five. Go ahead Captain."
"A firefight just broke out at New Tyne Airfield, looks like someone else has decided to get involved in Venezia. Move in and take 'em out, you are cleared hot to engage any and all armed personnel. Acknowledge."
"Understood," One replied, "we'll get it done ma'am. Out."
Naomi and the others moved out at her command, eventually reaching the city limits. So far no hostiles had been encountered-it appeared the local militia had withdrawn to defend the airfield.
"All clear," Black Four-Victor-reported. "No sign of-."
Before he could finish, an explosive attached to Victor's helmet and detonated, sending metal and gore everywhere.
"NO!"
The three remaining members of Team Black turned just as an energy cutlass flew through the air and struck Black One in the neck.
Naomi and Three both knew she was a goner, and rolled away as the cutlass detonated in and killed her.
The two survivors of Black then saw the killer of their teammates.
It was Locus. A feared Insurrectionist assassin who went by the name of his helmet, he was widely regarded as the most dangerous rebel alive.
Both Naomi and Black Three opened fire. In response, Locus dodged and sent a plasma grenade sailing towards them,
Three didn't move fast enough, and Naomi felt tears roll down her cheeks as her only remaining teammate died in the explosion.
Locus, taking advantage of the chaos, threw down a bubble shield to protect himself and got on a motorcycle.
"From every massacre," Locus said as he got the vehicle moving, "there is always one survivor."
