Sand and Bullets

The clock read 2:56 AM as Marcus woke from the bed. His eyes failed to open as he reached for the PDA that illuminated the dark barracks and scorched his eyes. He squinted and put a paw over his eyes as he turned the brightness to a setting that was done, Marcus looked at the email that had woke him up in the early hours of the morning. Hoping it was from his parents, he quickly scrolled to his email app but his hopes sunk when he saw where it was from. It was from his captain.

McCloud, you and your team are to report to the general's office for

an assignment that will occur in the next two weeks.

-Captain Rocco

Marcus shut the PDA off and turned onto his back, looking up to the bunk that was being used by Rocky. Looking over at the nightstand, he placed the device down and continued looking up. He thought about the words that the general had told the team. It made him feel angry and insulted but he knew feeling that way would be of no good. Marcus then pulled the covers off and sat up on the edge of the bed.

Do I really want to be here? Is this all that there is?

Marcus looked at his sleeping teammates. The feelings that they had for the missions. Marcus stood up and walked towards the room that held the tv. He walked in and grabbed a water out of the fridge held under the bar and took a seat on the couch.

This isn't me. I wanted a normal life. I don't want this life of constant death.

Marcus continued to drink out of the bottle. Each drink seemed to bring in more and more feelings of doubt and wonder of the life he now lived. Looking at the blank tv, he saw his face in the reflection. He could already see a face of stress and of battle hard times. Marcus let his head fall.

"This is getting old"-he muttered to himself just barley enough for himself to hear.

Just then he saw the lights turn on and was at attention. He was about to take the person standing down but backed off once he saw it was Floyd. Floyd just stared at him with wonderment. Marcus let his hands fall and set the water down on the bar.

"Hey man you're up early."-Floyd said cheerfully as he opened the cabniets and grabbed the cereal and a bowl. "You know its 5:00 right?"

"Wow, guess I didn't know it was that time yet"-Marcus said, trying to hide the stress and the slight depression in his voice, yet Floyd still caught onto it.

"Ok something is up, whats wrong"-Floyd asked

"I don't know man. It seems like I have conflicting thoughts on about if I want to be in this army or not"

"I understand Marcus. Because once this next mission is over, I am done. I am leaving"-came Floyd "the death and stress is too much for me. I thought I would be flying. Guess not"

Marcus took a seat at the bar as Floyd finished his morning meal. All Marcus could do was nod in agreement. Both wanted out it seemed.

"What's up team?"-asked Rocky as he almost ran into the room with a gun to his side in a holster. "Guess we are supposed to meet the the ass of a general"

"At what time?"-asked Marcus.

"Half an hour"-replied Rocky as he looked at the watch he was issued. They knew that Jake was down in the hanger already checking ships and stuff.

"Ok I will be ready"-replied Marcus

000

30 minutes later...

The four walked into the office where the general was sitting, waiting for them. It seemed that the general had a different look, one of needing almost. It was a look that Marcus liked. One that showed he was needed. It took him back to one time when he had come home from school one day and his father had a rough day. The look his father gave him was one that stayed with him. The look that said "I would like to talk to you". The four all took a seat, with Marcus sitting next to Rocky who had his HK USP with the safety off for some reason. Marcus just lifted his head back up to the general who looked at them.

"I have called you, for a reason"-the general said slowly "A new enemy has arisen and it is similar to one that was fought about 19 years ago in the battle of Corneria. The strike was leaded by Peppy Hare and Fox McCloud."

The four looked at Marcus. They knew that Marcus' father fought in that war. He was the one that killed the ever famous Andross at the last minute before taking down the craft.

"Anyways. After much scanning and research, we have found that this enemy is called the Covenant. Andross was part of this race and was known as an Elite. This enemy has fought not only our race, but another called Humans. They lived on a planet called Earth."-the general continued. All this seemed to sink into Marcus who just listened and tried to take in the information. It all seemed to make sense now. When in school he heard about the race called Human but never really understood them at all. They seemed though that they were rather alike in the ways of Cornerian and ones from Lylat.

"See the Humans were overran by the Covenant but some say that a small colony of about 5,000 still remain on Earth. We want to to go down to this planet and see if we can overtake the Covenant there. Earth has resources that could be useful to us. We wish to get it before the Covenant does. But be careful, humans are known to stand for their own even when they are outmatched. They can be ruthless, but if on good terms they will respond with kindness. Any questions?"-the general conveyed to the team.

After a few seconds Rocky lifted his hand, "So our mission is to go down and take Earth before the Covenant does, with trying to find these humans and befriend them?"

"In short terms yes"-the general responded.

The team looked at each other. They then looked at the general who was waiting for a reply.

"In that case I guess we can head out"-responded Jake.

000

Earth bound

The four walked back to the room they shared to prepare for the trip. Once they all started to pack, Marcus picked up the PDA. He felt the need for telling his parents where he was heading. But when he went for the messaging app, he withheld it.

Should I tell them?

Bringing his head back up from the screen he looked at the pistol on the nightstand. That pistol told him something. It hold him to send a message. It could mean his life. Marcus looked back at the PDA. He forced the stiff finger to type the message out onto the the screen. It was painful for him a little bit. He was on a planet different to his parents. But Venom was a known planet. Earth was not. The dangers that he could face. The Covenant. The very name struck at his heart. It sounded a killing sickness.

"Hey Marcus buddy, may want to think about packing your gear. This won't be a nice trip I think"-interrupted Rocky from Marcus' inner thoughts. Marcus moved his head to Rocky. The look on Marcus' face was giving away his emotions. Marcus' face was full of confusion and of sadness. His eyes looked as if they were going to give away to tears.

"Yeah. I just am sending a message to my parents real quick"-Marcus answered, quickly sending the message with the pressing of the send button. Rocky just looked at him with a serious look and arms crossed.

"Marc I know something is wrong. But look man, the academy prepared you for this. This is a real situation. You could be a hero man" said Rocky, putting a paw on Marcus' shoulder "And we all need you to act like a true McCloud. I have everything ready for you. I know you were going through a hard time a few days ago."

"Thanks Rock. I just have never been on this before. Never killed anything in my life. I am just afraid that I will do the wrong thing. Pull the trigger and ruin everything"-Marcus replied with a little more upbeat tone.

Rocky looked at Marcus with a cold hard stare. "You get used to it McCloud. You do"

Rocky motioned for them to leave the base and he grabbed his bag leaving the door open. Marcus followed suit and picked up his bag and put the holster on his pants with the .45 in. He walked out with a bit more up right posture.

I need to stay strong. I can't let the enemy to get to me. Dammit I am a McCloud.

Marcus shut the door and followed the three out to the elevator down to the hanger that held the shuttle leading down to Earth. Once getting there, Jake pressed the indicator down to the hanger bay.

"You ready boys?"-asked Jake to the three to break the silence

"Hell yes"-came Floyd

"Yes sir"-was Rocky's reply

"Sure as heck willing"-came Marcus. When he said that, Rocky glanced at him and simply nodded.

The hanger bay floor came to quickly. The team waited until the elevator landed with a soft thud and the doors opened. Marcus looked out to see all the ships and the shuttles in a dim light with many already taking off. Floyd noticed a team prepping for a shuttle and over heard them speaking of a certain subject. The avian walked over to Marcus and whispered into his ear

"I got news man. I think there is another team going with us"

"To Earth?"-asked Marcus

"Yeah. Dude if only 8 of are going, we are freaking screwed."

"Remember Floyd, there are 5,000 humans down there though."

"What if they are hostile?"-asked Floyd "Dude 5,000 damn humans vs us. I don't care if they are using sticks and rocks man"

"We will be fine man. C'mon man its me and you. We got this"-joked Marcus as he slapped Floyd on the shoulder causing Floyd to smile. The four reached the shuttle and ducked to avoid smacking their heads on the edge of the ramp cover. Marcus found a seat next to Floyd with Rocky and Jake on the other side facing them. The bags hit the floor and the pilot gave the heads up.

"Buckle up soldiers. This should be a short trip"-came the pilot "We should be approaching Earth's moon within 3 hours with a distance of 5,000 miles away."

The thumbs up was given to the pilot by traffic control. The shuttle then lifted with the ramp closing in a matter of seconds. The shuttle then turned and headed towards the exit. Both fusion turbines engines launched the shuttle into the day sky and into the atmosphere within seconds.

"Beginning sub-orbital launch" said the pilots "hold on"

Marcus felt as the shuttle launched itself into light speed.

"Well guys I guess we are heading in."-came Rocky smiling reaching into his bag pulling out a DMR. "Lets screw these bastards up"

000

3 hours later...

"Prepare for atmospheric entry"-came the pilot a few feet away as he brought the shuttle into Earth's atmosphere. The entire view of the team was limited due to the bright friction of the shuttle hitting the atmosphere. The floor even began to gain in heat due to the insane friction. Five minutes later the entire view of the earth was opened up to the team.

"Wow. To think of a planet so beautiful could be a war zone"-annouced Jake as the view of the former United States of America came into view. Marcus looked out of the window and noticed the other shuttle. It seemed normal until the blue streak of something hit the wing causing it to jerk downwards to the left and become engulfed with flames. Looking up he saw a shower of material raining from the sky. At once he got up and walked up to the pilot.

"We have a situation. The other shuttle is down. Hit by something"

The pilot looked towards the shuttle and noticed it was tumbling to the ground with the crew in parachutes flying down. "Ah shit".

"Attention we have a bad day"-came the pilot, "We have Covenant activity men. Prepare to a serious landing"

Marcus went back to his seat and saw that Rocky was already suited in his army gear and weapon at the ready. He saw that every one else was also preping. Reaching into the bag he brought out the leg armor and began suiting up. The shuttle jerked to the right and began heading down ward. Still, he continued gearing up, eventually managing to get the breast plate on and rifle in hand. Checking the DMR for rounds he grabbed the strap above to steady himself. Marcus looked out the window to see a landing platform on the ground. Jake grabbed a pistol and pulled the slide back loading it up. Rocky grabbed the bag of his and waited. Floyd had everything in his hand and seemed to be jumping almost with anticipation.

"Alright, welcome to Earth"-came the pilot "Wait for further instructions"

The four walked out of the shuttle starting with Rocky then Marcus. Floyd and Jake followed. Looking out Marcus noticed a and vehicle and some crates. The team walked over to it and was nearly knocked over by wind from the shuttle leaving the planet.

"What the hell?"-asked Jake as he opened his com link. "Shuttle 568 where are you going?"

"Sorry. Ordered to return to Corneria. Earth is a danger zone. Your job to secure it"

The shuttle left with Jake screaming at it as it left into earth's atmosphere. The four where on their own to fend for themselves. Floyd looked around and saw nothing but grass and a small river with sand everywhere.

"Where first question. Where the hell are we?"-came Floyd to Rocky

"It seems that we are in a valley. Somewhere in the state known as California" Rocky conveyed to the team, reading the envolpe left on the land cruiser "There is a small human settlement about 20 miles due south. Officially called Fresno many years ago. About 250 humans are there now"

Rocky placed the information in the door of the cruiser and grabbed his gun. He loaded it into the truck and climbed into the drivers side. He stared at the team standing around.

"Well are we standing around or what?"

Marcus walked around the front and climbed into the passenger side of the cruiser. Placing the DMR to the side he reached for the computer installed in the dashboard. It seemed to be an older GPS system. Jake walked up to Rocky who had shut the door. The cheetah looked into the window that was rolled down and into the lenses of Rocky's sunglasses. His look on his face was of disgust.

"Are you kidding me? You expect me to just go and deal with this. Hell no. I'd rather die."-said Jake who already been in a mood.

"Yeah I expect you. And you better get your ass in gear. Or you are going to be some alien's bitch for the rest of your life"-Rocky said coldy. Jake then erased the look on his face and silently walked over to the other door on Rocky's side before climbing in and buckling up.

"Ok so we should be there in about 20 minutes"-conveyed Marcus to Rocky

"Good, cause I am hungry and bored"-overheard Floyd

"Well get used to it bird. This aint no fun trip"-joked Rocky to Floyd

"How come when he says crap that he doesn't get busted but when I do I get my ass chewed out?"-sarcasticly asked Jake.

"Because Floyd isn't an ass hole"- jokingly said Rocky with a smile.

With that Rocky started the 20 year old truck and it barely came to life. The team then set off, leaving the the station.

0000000

authors note: ok this was an interesting chapter. a little more slower, but i feel that it build the friendship between rocky and marcus a little more. next chapter should be out by friday hopefully.