2230 Hours, 17 October 2552 (Military Calendar)
UNSC Encampment, 50 Kilometers from Chiron
Mare Erythraeum, Planet Mars
Sol System
Grant Russo returned to the Command Post one last time before calling it a night. He opened the door and found Colonel James Ackerson hard at work on the computer console.
"Colonel, I didn't expect to see you here this late." Russo said.
Ackerson sighed and said, "I'm worried Major. I'm very uneasy."
"What's wrong?"
"Our reports have confirmed that the Covenant are in this system. They were last seen around Jupiter. I don't know if they'll be coming here but I want our men off this rock and into the real fight." Ackerson said.
"Earth."
"Yes. I contacted Command and they say that this planet needs it's own defense almost of much as Earth. I'm assuming that either the Covenant may believe this is Earth or that Command wants to halt possible bloodshed. Either way, it bothers me. Earth is of the utmost importance and we can't help the fight." Ackerson explained.
"Perhaps it's the SPARTAN. Let's be honest Colonel, everyone knows your feelings regarding the SPARTAN-II program. I've seen your Spartans die in battle before. All while he's still alive. I bet you feel as though he's mocking you. Let me tell you something Colonel, in rough times like these you have to forget the past and focus on the greater good. Is our extinction worth your dignity?"
Ackerson kept the stern look on his face, as if he was unaffected by the Major's words. After a few minutes of silence, an alarm sounded. Russo ran over the alarm control.
"Damn, it's the Covenant! They're entering our orbit!"
Russo continued over to the intercom and announced, "Attention all UNSC personnel, the Covenant are entering orbit. Prepare yourselves and await further instructions, this is not a drill!"
James Ackerson awakened from his daze and approached Russo.
"Major, get your men to Chiron to begin evacuations. From the look of things that's where the Covies are headed. I'll get my men to head towards Katagalugan and help the government with their evacuations. Prepare all Pelicans for departure for Luna as soon as everyone is on board!"
"Roger that Colonel, I'll send out Echo Team to lead the pack." Russo said.
Echo Team was up and ready as soon as the alarm sounded. All five team members grabbed their weapons and waited for orders. Russo ran over to their bunk house and slammed the door open.
"Echo Team! I need you to take point for the rest of the Battalion. Head out to Chiron and assist evac. We need those civilians alive, we can't afford to lose more morale."
"Sir yes sir!" The soldiers shouted.
"You heard him Echo! Get on your feet and let's move out!" Whitney shouted.
The team of five soldiers got into a Pelican with another squad and took off. Other soldiers from the Battalion got into other Pelicans that would be used for evacuations.
2330 Hours, 17 October 2552 (Military Calendar)
Outskirts of Chiron
Mare Erythraeum, Planet Mars
Sol System
"Pilot, drop us off at the city's entrance and we can clean up the streets! Proceed to the spaceport, we'll send all the civilians that way." Whitney said.
The Pilot nodded and flew towards the spaceport after the Pelican was emptied of the troops.
"Men, split up into your teams and scatter across the city. Luckily for us it isn't that large of a city, but there is still one hundred thousand people that need to be evacuated." Russo said over the Battalion's COMM station, "Echo Team, I want you to go towards City Hall. It is about two klicks north of your position, just continue down the road and you'll see it in the City Square. Evacuate the building and surrounding homes and establish a command post there. Russo out."
"Alright men, we got civies to save and Covies to kill. Let's get on our way!" Whitney shouted.
That is the last chapter of just buildup and character development. The Battle of Mare Erythraeum begins in the next chapter, coming soon.