Private Mendez lay on his stomach on the hard packed ground and peered into the tree line the two moons giving very little light for the marine to use. It had been only four days since the Covenant attack on the outpost. The Covenant had launched a few half ass assaults on the outpost before then but it was clear that the marines had shrugged off the main assault. That always made him wonder why they just didn't steam roll them. They seemed to be toying with us was Mendez thoughts. Still on fire guard Mendez thought of that mission where they captured that gold bastard. He remembered how the mission had them all AWOL but when they returned with the gold elite ONI happily over looked the fact that they never approved such a mission. They were called heroes and medals were awarded. One was given to his best friend Private First class Jones. Lieutenant Jenkins was all too pleased with herself willingly explaining the mission again and again to anyone who asked. She always said that Jones was the real hero and she couldn't have completed the mission without him. This always caused Jones to become overwhelm with shame and Jenkins knew this. Mendez felt nothing but pity for Jones for he had only been watching and felt ashamed so he could only image what Jones felt. Mendez felt a tap on his shoulder he looked up to see a marine standing over him.
"I'm your relief," He said as he laid down next to Mendez. Mendez stood up his fire guard over and walked back to the barracks, he stored his gear in his foot locker and walked to the side of the bunk bed when a soft grunt caused him to stop. Mendez eyed the marine sleeping on the bottom bunk. Jones was tossing and turning with his body soaked in sweat. It was clear he was having a bad nightmare as he did ever night since that mission. Mendez knew not to wake him up however for if he did Jones wouldn't fall back to sleep and he had only gotten a few hours of sleep. Mendez climbed to the top bunk and wondered what Jones dreamed of every night.
Jones's nightmare was always the same and it replayed itself every time he closed his eyes even when he didn't sleep. Jones was in the middle of a fire fight as he always was. Jones fired into oncoming waves of Grunts and Jackals, just when he thought he was going to be overran the attack suddenly stopped. Jones stood and turned expecting to the see the other marines he had heard but not seen. Instead he found only Lieutenant Jenkins standing with her pistol at her side. An Elite stepped out of nowhere as he always did and started walking towards Jenkins. Jones shouldered his assault rifle and pulled the trigger but it jammed, it always jammed. Jones yanked on the bolt but it was stuck forward and wouldn't budge. Meanwhile the Elite was still getting closer to Jenkins who only continued to stare at Jones. Jones opened his mouth to warn her but no sound came out. Jones threw his rifle to the ground and jerked out his pistol but the slide was locked back. Jones eject the magazine and shoved a new one into the pistol's grip and pushed the slide release but the slide stayed locked back. It always stayed locked back. Jones ejected that magazine to and put in another one. The slide still stayed locked back. The Elite now stood directly behind Jenkins who still would not turn. The Elite raised a plasma pistol and held it to Jenkins' head. If Jenkins was aware of this she gave no sign of it she only stared at Jones, who could only stare in disbelief. Jones slapped the side of his pistol trying in vain to get the slide to snap forward. Jenkins still stood completely still as if she was standing at attention in front of an officer. Jones gave a yell as he used his left hand to punch the pistol. The slide suddenly snapped forward. Jones raised his pistol aiming for the Elite's head, but Jenkins was quicker. Jenkins bullet went clean through Jones's right shoulder knocking him to the ground and causing him to drop his pistol. Jones gripped his shoulder with his left hand blood spilling between his fingers.
"What the fuck?!" Jones grunted. He tried to move his right arm but it lay limp at his side. A shadow fell over him and he looked up to see the Elite standing over him clutching an energy sword. Jones brought his left arm in front of his face in an attempt to shield himself. The Elite simply kicked his arm to the side and then used one of his feet to pin it to the ground above his head. He then raised the blade looking at Jones's pinned arm, roaring as he brought it down. Jones closed his eyes his face scrunched waiting for the sharp and searing pain but it never came. Jones opened his eyes and looked at his left arm which lay between the energy swords two forks. Jones could also see that if he moved it in any direction even a little bit it would be sliced off. The Elite then knelt next to Jones and warped one of his claws around his chin and turned his face to the left and then the right.
"You'll do," He said as she let go of his chin. He stood and walked over to where Jenkins still stood.
"What the hell are you doing?" Jones demanded trying not to sound scared. The Elite's head whipped around.
"You will hold your tongue or lose it human." He spat. The Elite raised his pistol again leveling it at Jenkins' head once again. This time he discharged the pistol the green bolt going though her head completely. Jenkins fell to the ground the empty holes where her eyes should be looked directly at Jones. The Elite returned and knelt next to Jones and freed his energy sword.
"You're done," He pleaded "So please let me go." His head tilted slightly to one side as he looked him in the eyes.
"This is," The Elite paused for effect as he raised the energy sword above his head "Where the real fun begins human!"
Jones's eyes flew open and he was staring at the bottom of Mendez's bunk. Jones slowly got up his body sticky with sweat. Jones then ran his hand down his face removing the sweat from his forehead. Jones stood and walked towards the shower hoping that would help take the edge off the nightmare. Mendez watched Jones through a half open eye as he lay on his bunk. Mendez thought about getting down to talk to him, knew it wouldn't do any good and went to sleep.
At 0600 Mendez was awaken by his internal clock from all the mouths in basic and years on deployment. Mendez swung his legs over the bunk and dropped to the floor his right knee buckling slightly. Mendez raised to his full high and looked at Jones bunk. Jones lay on his bunk dressed in uniform, hands at his sides, eyes open and staring at the bottom of Mendez's bunk. Something told Mendez that Jones had been like that since he woke up almost three hours ago.
"Come on," Mendez said place a hand on Jones's shoulder who looked up at Mendez through tired and fearful eyes. "Let's get some chow."
"You should get dressed." Jones said in an attempt to make a joke but his voice was empty and weak.
"Yeah," Mendez said removing his hand "I think I should." Mendez turned on his heel and started to walk towards the showers. Just before Mendez got there he shot a glance back at Jones who had gone back to staring at the bottom of Mendez's bunk. Mendez shook his head as he walked in to the showers which we just plastic tubes inside of cubicles that were smaller than most bathroom stalls. Mendez striped off his underwear and shirt, walked into a cubicle and turn the valve. The almost, but not quite, freezing cold water started to drip on his head. The stream couldn't have been bigger than two inches wide. Mendez quickly rubbed soap on his body and quickly washed it off again turning the water off when he was done his shower only lasting about a minute and a half. He would have been down quicker but the water pressure was pitiful. Mendez dried himself off and changed into his uniform and went back to Jones who hadn't moved a muscle since Mendez left him. Jones turned to look at him.
"Ready now?" Jones asked some of his old self returning to his voice.
"Yeah lets go," Mendez said jerking a thumb towards the mess hall. Jones stood and they started to walk. They left the barracks and walked towards the mess hall Mendez used a hand to block out the sun. Despite it being early the sun was already burning bright on this cursed planet. Mendez stepped in front of Jones and grabbed a metal plate that had high sides so they could be used as bowls or plates. The two marines walked up to the counter and each got a helping of soldier's stew which was a mixture of whatever they had left for food chopped up and boiled in water. Mendez took a seat at an empty table Jones sat across from him. Mendez shoved spoonfuls of the goop into his mouth. Jones stirred his a bit then took a few small bites not feeling much like eating. Mendez saw this and put his spoon down.
"You will eat that or I will shove it down your throat," Mendez threatened. Jones looked into Mendez eyes saw he wasn't joking and started to take full sized bites. Mendez shook his head slightly he knew Jones wasn't sleeping well and he didn't want him starving himself as will.
"Just once I would like something that hasn't been turned into paste. Like a piece of bread," Jones remarked as he shoved the last bit down his throat. Mendez leaned in closer.
"You want to talk about it?" Mendez whispered. Jones looked at Mendez a fire lit behind his eyes.
"No I don't," Jones said clearly as he sat straighter. "And I never will."
"You need to," Mendez said speaking a little louder. "I know what it's like to-"
"You know what it's like?" Jones said speaking in a harsh whisper. "You know what it's like to be given an order to do something that you know is wrong? Then when you refuse so your life is threatened? Then despite how wrong it is you enjoy it and you have to live with yourself after words?"
"Whoa, hang on a second," Mendez said putting his hands up. "I wasn't going to say that. I was going to say I know what it's like to know something and not want to talk about it. I was then going to say, no matter how bad this may sound, talking about it really does help a little."
"Oh," Jones said dropping his gaze the fire dying. "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it." Mendez said with a wave of his hand. "I know you must be going through a lot and it must be har-"
"INCOMING!" A marine suddenly shouted. No sooner had the words left the marine's mouth then Jones and Mendez where already in the air diving under the table. Just as they landed they was a dull thud and the ground shook beneath their stomachs. A few seconds later another thud and the ground shook again.
"How many are there?" Mendez asked Jones as they lay on the stomach under the table praying they wouldn't hit the mess hall even though it was one of the bigger buildings. Jones sat and counted the thuds and the time between then.
"Two wraiths." Jones declared.
"That means about 50 to 75 Grunts, 30 Jackals 10 Elites and a Hunter par," Mendez explained.
"Retaliation will get most of them," Jones said his face grim.
"Why the hell are they just toying with us?" Mendez asked his friend. "I'm sure they could just wipe us out so why don't they?"
"I don't know," Jones said a little irritated by the question it wasn't the first time Mendez brought it up. "Maybe they are too busy with something else and are only launch these half ass assaults to keep us from going on the offensive."
"But we have ships in orbit this time they can't just get away." Mendez countered.
"Look I don't really fucking know ok," Jones said with a sigh. "But let's face it their ships could easily make it past our blockade."
Across from the mess hall four pilots caring their helmets ran to the two waiting Pelicans sitting on their pads. They jumped in, two for each one, and strapped on their helmets.
"Come on lets going before we get nailed!" One of them said as the canapés closed and the engines roared to life.
"This is Viper we are spinning up," The Pilot in the other Pelican said over the radio to all hands. He then pushed the throttle forward and the engine gave a throaty roar as it flew up and away from the camp along with the falling plasma. The other Pelican took off right behind him settling in at the other Pelican's left and just a little behind him.
"I'll take lead on this one Viper two," The Pilot in the one that took off first said.
"Roger that Viper lead," Viper two said. The area around the marine base had been turned into a moonscape and it was very easy to locate the two wraiths and the advancing Covenant forces.
"This is Viper to ground forces," Viper lead said over the radio "Enemy assault force in grid bravo four."
"I've got tone," Viper two reported as two red diamonds appeared over the two wraiths.
"All right let's get those fucking wraiths in one pass," Viper lead said "Guns, guns, guns." The two Pelicans opened up with their chain guns and sent a volley of rockets at the Covenant forces. The two wraiths were destroyed first followed by the Grunts and Jackals that were torn apart by the guns and final more were sent into the air by the exploding rockets. A second later the two Pelicans passed over head made lazy turns and fired again from the other direction. Depleting their rockets as they did so.
"This is Viper," Viper lead radioed to all ground forces. "We are leaving your AO to rearm ETA 20 minutes hold fast boys." The two Pelicans turned again and flew towards the nearest outpost to rearm leaving the marines without any air support. No sooner had the plasma stop falling marines were already jumping into the mortar pits, sighted grid bravo four and sent the first shells down range. It had only been a total of 20 seconds from the end of the Pelicans' gun runs till the first shells landed and exploded in the middle of the still scattered Covenant assault force.
Back in the barracks Jones and Mendez hurried to strap on their body armor and ammo vests along with the other off duty marines. Mendez grabbed his assault rifle ran out of the barracks just behind Jones. The two marines ran to the firing line in front of grid bravo four. The two ducked behind a chest high wall of sandbags with about 30 other marines. Mendez peeked his head up to get a look at the advancing forces. The nearest enemy, the Hunter pair, was still 250 meters out and the mortars were really hammering them as Elites tried to order their troops. The Hunter par raised their weapons and sent a pair of glowing green blobs at the sand bags. Because of their distance most of the marines had a chance to move out of the way expect for an unlucky PFC who watched in horror as one of the blobs hit his left side. He then began to scream as the plasma started to burn through him. He screamed in till someone shot him in the head.
"Do the same before me," The Marine said returning his fire to the Covenant. A marine rose above the sandbags, shouldered a rocket launcher and fired both tubes. The first rocket hit the Hunter on the right in the chest blowing him to pieces. The other Hunter charged lowering his left shoulder as he did so, the second rocket flew just past his head. The marines poured fire onto him but the rounds just bounced off his armor. The Hunter was gaining speed aiming right for the sandbags hoping to scatter the marines. A mortar shell landed right in front of the charging Hunter however and the explosion knocked him on his ass. The marine with the launcher had reloaded and fired at the Hunter again. The rocket hit him square in the chest as he tried to stand keeping him on the ground. Now free to fire the marines hosed the advancing forces with assault weapon fire and rockets. The Covenant returned fire in kind but their plasma blots were slower moving then the marines' rounds and at this range most marines had time to duck behind the sandbags before the plasma blots reached them.
"HOLD FIRE!" S Sergeant yelled 10 minutes after Jones and Mendez got there. The marines let up and three seconds later the last few mortar shells hit. Silence fell over the base. "You five," The Sergeant said pointing to a group of marines. "Check for survivors. The rest of you cover them." Now there were about 50 marines at the sandbags. The rest of the marines spread themselves out along the bases' other defenses incase that attack was just a diversion. Inside a office in the heavily fortified command bunker an ONI colonel got to his feet and picked up is glass of spilled brandy.
"What a waste," He remarked as he set the glass down on his desk and grabbed the bottle from a drawer. "Are you sure you won't have any lieutenant?"
"No thank you sir," Lieutenant Jenkins said as she sat down on the other side of the desk.
"Very well," The Colonel said as he sat down opposite of Jenkins "Where were we lieutenant?"
"You were saying that Hamanee gave up the location of the Covenant main base of operations sir," Jenkins said.
"Right," The Colonel said taking a sip from the glass. "Of course we didn't trust him not right away anyway so we sent a recon probe to check and he wasn't lying."
"That's good news sir," Jenkins said her voice lacking emotion. "We can have one of the orbiting ships pound them to dust."
"Normally yes," The Colonel agreed taking another sip. "However their main base is centered around a goddamned enemy frigate. Then to top it off they have deployed some kind of devices that boost its shield making it 200% stronger."
"Meaning sir?" Jenkins asked already knowing the answer but felt like she had to ask.
"Meaning," The Colonel explained finishing his drink. "That any assault or bombardment would fail. However Hamanee also gave use the codes their drop ships use to leave and enter the base. We also know were one of their resupply outpost are. And we know that a drop ship is taking a load of supplies from the frigate to that outpost at 2300 tonight."
"I don't see what this that has to do with me sir," Jenkins said feeling like she wasn't going to like what the colonel said next.
"You did an outstanding job leading that team to capture Hamanee," The Colonel said leaning back in his chair. "We want you to lead a strike team to neutralize the outpost, capture the drop ship, use it to gain entry into the frigate and covertly destroy the ships engines the blast whipping out their main base and crushing their foot hold. I know this is a lot to ask of you so it's understood if you refuse."
"I have just one issue sir," Jenkins said standing. "I can't fly a Covenant drop ship." The colonel's face broke out into a grin.
"You won't have to lieutenant," The Colonel said. He then moved his head so he was looking around Jenkins "Come in captain." A second later a navy captain walking into the colonel's office. "Lieutenant meet Captain McNeil he will be your pilot. You however will have to supple your own tech that can send the codes and a demo expert."
"I have just the two in mind sir," Jenkins said with a smile.
Back at the sandbag wall in front of grid bravo four Jones and Mendez crouched with their assault rifles resting on the top of the wall. The five marines were in a line 15 feet from each other slowly moving through the bodies, turning them over and checking for any sign of life. Every once in a while one of the marines would shoulder his weapon and fire a round into a head of a fallen enemy soldier. As a marines walked passed an Elite, missing his left leg from his mid thigh down, he reached out with his right hand and shoved a lit plasma grenade onto the marine's left boot.
"MOTHERFUCKER!" He screamed as he tried in vain to shake it off. Three seconds later it exploded launching the marine into the air. His top half landed five feet from the blast. His left leg hit the marine closest to him in the face causing his nose to bleed and his right leg flew straight up and fell straight back down. The marines at the wall opened fire on the Elite cutting his to pieces as a hundred plus rounds tore into him. Just then the two Pelicans flew back over and hovered over the many Covenant dead.
"This is Viper," Viper lead said to all hands. "We are back in you're AO how can we assist? Over."
"You guys fall back!" The Sergeant shouted at the four remaining marines who happily sprinted back to the sandbags. "Pepper the area marked by smoke. Over." He said speaking into his helmet mike. The sergeant threw a grenade into the middle of the dead Covenant. It popped giving off gray smoke at first that turned red as it rose to the sky.
"Confirmed," Viper lead radioed. "Ready two?" The two Pelican now hovered over the marines only 30 feet apart, a 100 meters off the ground.
"Ready lead," Viper two said.
"Guns, guns, guns," Viper lead radioed as both Pelicans opened up with their chain guns. They moved their fire in a zigzag pattern Viper lead starting at the top and moving down, Viper two started at the bottom and worked up. It only took them seven seconds to meet in the middle and in that time thousands of rounds had been fired. The only thing that remained were pieces of different sizes, shapes and colors.
"Anything else? Over," Viper two asked.
"No," The Sergeant said into his mike. "Take five, thanks for the assist over. Somebody get the dozer and push this mess under."
"Viper out," Viper lead radioed as the two Pelicans turned to land back at their pads. In the distance the marines could hear the large bulldozer roar to life. Suddenly all the marines radios clicked to life along with the PA.
"Private James Mendez and Private First Class Allen Jones are to report to the command bunker on the double." Mendez and Jones exchanged glances before sprinting to the command bunker. As they arrived at the heavy metal door two MPs stopped them rifles held at the low ready. Jones and Mendez came to a stop and pulled out their I.D.s
"Private Mendez and Private First Class Jones reporting as ordered," Mendez spoke for both of them as the MPs took their I.D.s from them.
"Very well," One of them said as they lowered their rifles. "Leave all weapons in the footlocker." One of them pointed at a dented, rusty metal footlocker as the other handed them back their I.D.s Jones and Mendez looked at each again as they placed their assault rifles in it along with their pistols. They then turned to walk inside when a MP put a hand on Mendez's shoulder turned him around pointed at his belt and then back at the footlocker. Mendez unclipped his belt holding his grenades and placed it inside as well, Jones quickly did the same. Mendez turned to try again when he saw the MP rise his had again, before he could place it on his shoulder however Mendez took out his combat knife and placed it in the footlocker. Mendez then places his hands at his sides and spun around slowly once. He then looked one of the MPs in the eyes and threw his hands to his sides. The MP nodded and Jones and Mendez were finally allowed inside. The first thing they came to was a waiting room with a desk and three more MPs two of them lined the wall behind the desk with the door that lead to the offices and com rooms. The third one was setting behind the desk typing on a computer.
"Private Mendez and Private Fir-" Mendez started to say.
"Private First Class Jones," The typing MP interrupted not taking his eyes off his computer screen. "They're waiting for you in Colonel Williams' office." One of the MPs along the wall opened the door and gestured with his free hand. The two marines walked through the door to see more brass in the short hallway then they did their whole cares at that point. They both saluted as a lieutenant walked passed. They walked three more feet before they had to stop and salute a passing captain then again as a first lieutenant also walked pass them. They finally reach Colonel Williams' door and Jones knocked.
"Enter," He said his voice muffled by the door. Jones and Mendez walked in, came to attention and saluted.
"Private Jim Mendez," Mendez said.
"And Private First Class Allen Jones reporting as ordered sir," Jones finished for both of them.
"At easy gentlemen," Colonel Williams said as he leaned back in his chair. Jones and Mendez moved their hands behind their backs and spread their legs shoulder width apart at the same time in a signal crisp movement. "We have a high risk, high stakes mission planned for tonight and Lieutenant Jenkins informed me you two and just the people I'm looking for."
"I'm sorry to say that you are misinformed sir," Mendez said shooting a glance at Jenkins standing in a corner with Captain McNeil. "We are far from special ops sir."
"You misunderstood me son," Williams said leaning forward again. "Private Mendez you are familiar with the SRS 99D AM and received some sniper training at Fort Hood did you not?"
"Yes sir," Mendez said looking back at Williams. "And yes sir the basics."
"You also majored in chemistry so you could whip up an explosive device that would make a real bang and be unstable enough that if someone tampered with it, it would go off?"
"Yes sir I could," Mendez said very uneasy at the directness of the questions.
"And you Private First Class Jones," Williams said turning his gaze to Jones. "You studied the Covenant language and you could read it fairly well before you were drafted?"
"Yes sir I could," Jones said also not liking were this was going.
"Is it safe to assume you could send a simple message using their written language?"
"Yes sir it is," Jones nodded.
"All right," Williams said leaning back again. "There is a mission briefing in briefing room two in 10 minutes be there. Then at 1800 hours there is a mission prep at the armory. You will attend both of these. Dismissed gentlemen." William waved his hand towards the door. Jones and Mendez saluted one more time before making an about face and marching out of William's office. When the door shut Jones and Mendez turned to look at each other.
"What the fuck?" Jones mouthed not daring to make a sound.
"I don't fucking know," Mendez mouthed back. They walked to the end of the hallway thankfully not encountering anymore officers on the short trip. They came to a flight of stairs guarded by two more MPs.
"Private Jones and Mendez briefing room two is straight down these stairs and the second door on your left." One of them said pointing down the stairs before Jones or Mendez could pull out their I.D.s. The two marines nodded their thanks and walked down the metal stairs and walked the short distance to the hallway to the door marked room two. Mendez walked in first Jones right behind him. The briefing room had two sections of seats separated by an aisle. The two sections had six rows of six seats each so a total of 72 people could sit and listen. All the seats faced a slightly raised area with a podium and screen which several different images could be displayed. A group of 30 ODST stood near the front of the room talking amongst themselves. One of them turned as Mendez and Jones walked in.
"Hey jar head I think you've got the wrong room," The one that turned said.
"Yeah," Another one said also turning. "This is for the people going on a dangerous mission not for little boys."
"Hey," Mendez said putting up his hands palms out. "We got drafted in to this thing."
"So these must be the specialists," One ODST said. "Just stay out of our way and let the men do the fighting boys."
"Attention!" Someone shouted and everyone in the room came to attention at once. Colonel Williams walked down the aisle and stopped behind the podium placing his hand on the sides.
"At ease gentlemen," Williams said. "Take a seat." The 30 ODST troopers took up most of the section of seats to the right of the podium leaving Mendez and Jones the only ones in the left section of seats. "I'll be brief gentlemen time is not on our side. We have a high risk mission planned for tonight as you know but what you do not is if you are successful we will have crippled the Covenant's foot hold here. The mission is simple in ideal, you men." Williams pointed at the ODST troopers. "Will covertly neutralize a Covenant outpost and board a Covenant drop ship. Then Captain McNeil will fly it to the Covenant's main base of operations, one of their frigates, using the codes we have gotten from a POW. Once on board you will covertly as possible make your way to their engine room and rig them to blow anyway you can. That will be Private Mendez's job as well as a provide sniper support for the assault on the outpost. Any questions?"
"Just one sir," An ODST said. "Once we rig the ship to blow how are we going to get off it?"
"Anyway you can trooper," Williams said looking him in the eye. "Anyway you can." Mendez and Jones exchanged glasses while the ODST looked straight ahead.
"What do we need the PFC for sir?" An ODST asked near the back.
"It will be his job to send the Covenant the correct codes to be allowed entrance into the frigate. He will also double as Private Mendez's spotter. Any other questions?" Williams asked looking around the room. No one else raised their hand and Mendez and Jones didn't dare asked the question that was on their minds.
"Ok," Williams said clapping his hands together "Lieutenant Jenkins will have lead on this one. Mission perp. is at 1800 don't be late we do have a small window of opportunity. Good luck. Dismissed!" With that the marines and ODSTs stood and saluted. Williams returned their salutes and briskly walked out of the room.