It was a bumpy ride down to the surface. Based on the Horizons trajectory, Sherwood predicted that it would crash on a flat desert plain near the planets capital. A mere 100kms from the nearest fighting. The Horizon was out of control and entered the planets atmosphere at an odd angle. The high-speed and friction caused the hull to bend in a 4 degree arc to port. Large pieces of debris broke off as gravity took its toll. The Mustang followed above and behind her at a decent distance, to avoid taking damage from the debris trail. The Resolute followed closely behind her.

Onboard the Resolute, Rex finally received new orders. Once the strange ship crash landed, the gunships would take he and his men to the crash site to search for survivors. He was instructed to use extreme caution, as the aliens second ship would begin a rescue effort of their own. He will also be receiving reinforcements from a trio of Commander Tanos turbo tanks. The blast doors closed and there was the sound of comm chatter and blasters arming as they prepared for takeoff.

Onboard the Mustang, Tanto squads objective changed. They moved from their post guarding the bridge, to the hangar. For most soldiers this was cause for moans or complaining. But for these ODSTs it was a blessing. They were to join a large contingent of marines and fly in ahead to secure the crash site. With there being no data on this planet they wouldn't know what to expect. Hostile wildlife, angry locals, giant space-faring militaristic robots. It was all a possibility with what's happened so far. After taking their seats in the pelican, Micky and the squads heavy-weapons specialist, James, began discussing what they'd have to defend the crash site from.

"I'll bet it'll be something big. Like those fuckin' dinosaur things they have on Reach." He said enthusiastically, toying with a frag grenade.

James had his SAW resting across his lap. A red maple leaf was painted on the stock. "Nah, it's probably going to be forerunners. What do you think could have done so much damage to the colony ship, eh? I heard the bridge officers talking, ya. Apparently, we're lost. Gotta be some kinda forerunner trick, eh?"

Before Micky could respond, Rick cut in. "Stow the loose talk, gentleman. Get your head in the game. This is unknown territory."

Both ODSTs responded "Aye aye, sir." In unison. Across from them the fourth member of Tanto squad shook her head in mock dissappointment at the two. The quiet marksman nicknamed "Katyusha" had her arms crossed, her visor already completely polarized. The two ODSTs helmets visors polarized and hid their faces as the dropships ramp closed.

The Horizon came in sideways. A massive trail of smoke was left in its wake. A large trail of burning debris was already impacting across the flat desert plain. On the horizon, a large storm-like cloud could be seen. Blue and red lights were erupting inside it. Obviously, it was the site of a major conflict. The Horizon crashed down. Upon hitting the ground the ship practically disintegrated. Massive explosions rocked the terrain and it could be heard for miles around. The ship itself rolled a good 2kms before coming to a halt. The desert around it was peppered with metal bits and smoking pieces of hull.

It was now that the Republic and UNSC ships began launching their forces. The Resolutes belly hangar opened and 6 gunships filled with clone troopers of the 501st descended into the sky. At the same time, 8 pelicans shot out of four hangars on the sides of the Mustang. Most had warthogs hanging from under their tail. The 501st gunships flew in two straight lines of three, while the UNSC pelicans formed two V formations. This was a hastily assembled operation. So many aircraft flying in close proximity with no detailed plan or coordination was a recipe for disaster. The flight leads were cautious and made sure to give each other space.

The six gunships landed alongside the wreckage where they opened their blast doors and their white-armored cargo spilled out. Captain Rex barked orders at his men, "Establish a perimeter and prepare to check for survivors. "

He turned to a trooper with a backpack that had a large antenna. "Any word from the General?"

The trooper responded, "No sir. He's engaged in battle. But Commander Tano is 5 clicks out and closing."

"Keep me updated."

"Aye, sir."

The pelicans landed on the opposite side of the wreckage. But they didn't stick around. Once they dropped off their marines and a few warthogs, they departed. Major Thorn was in charge of the marines that landed. He was an old and battle-tested marine. He put his finger to his ear and spoke to his men on comms. "Platoons Sierra, Lima, Alpha, setup a perimeter. Delta, Uniform, begin digging for survivors. Tanto squad, take hog. Make contact with the foreign force. We need to coordinate our effort. All forces, how copy?"

His orders were met with a series of "Yes, sirs." And his soldiers began executing their assigned tasks.

As soon as they their boots hit the dust, Tanto had acquired a hog. Upon receiving orders from the Major, Rick conveyed them to the rest of Tanto. The hog they acquired was a reconnaissance hog. Unlike other variants it was faster, but at the cost of any heavy weaponry. Rick took the passenger seat while Micky drove. Katyusha and James rode in the bed. Micky gunned it and hog rolled away from their landing site, leaving a cloud of dust behind it. He drove past the burning and blackened wreckage, passed what was once the stern. Instead of looking jagged and burnt like the rest of the ship, the engines had melted. As a result the damage to the stern made it look smooth and curvy. The damage had to have been caused by extreme sustained high-temperatures.

After arriving on the other side, they could see the Republic landing site. Several humanoid figures move about, wearing stark-white armor and carrying rifles.

"Approach slowly." Rick advised Micky. Who, began to let off the gas a little and let the hog slow down as they approached the small force.

The clone forces took notice of the approaching vehicle as it came into view. A squad of six with Rex at their head moved into its path. They prepared to greet them, but they kept their weapons at the ready, just in case.

Micky slowed and eventually stopped a few meters from the clone formation. Tanto squad dismounted. Katyusha and Micky on the left, James and Rick on the right. Like the clones, they kept their weapons lowered but at the ready. Rick held his hand up, signaling Tanto to stay put while he approached. He walked slowly. Rex also stepped forward. As if on queue, the two took off their helmets at the same time.

Rex was the first to speak. "Captain CT-7567, of the Grand Army of the Republic. Call me Rex."

Rick appraised the Captain for a mere second. The most notable thing about this soldier was the blue markings on his armor. He must have been a veteran. He replied, "Lieutenant Rick Jackson. UNSC Orbital Drop Shock Trooper. At your service."

Rex studied his counterpart aswell. Rex frowned a little at his equipment. The soldiers gear seemed clunky. It wasn't as streamlined as a clones. "Good to meet you Lieutenant. Are you the one incharge of the ground forces?"

Rick replied, "Negative. That would be Major Thorn. I'm just here to setup the lines of communication." Rick signaled for Micky to bring him a radio. Micky retrieved a small black box with an antenna from James' backpack and brought it to him. Rick then held out to Rex. Who, took the device.

"This'll let you get into direct contact with our CO. It's already setup. Just hit that black button to speak and then release it when you're done."

"Thanks." Rex said before holding the radio up and speaking into it. "Major Thorn, come in. This is Captain Rex of the Grand Army of the Republic. I've made contact with a team sent by you. We're ready to help you save your people from this wreckage."

A moment passed before a reply came. "Greetings, Captain. Major Thorn speaking. Glad to here you're on our side."

"Well, not necessarily, Major. I've been ordered to help you with your rescue effort and that's all."

"That's enough for me."

"We've begun digging already. I should advise you we have an armored unit 3 clicks out and closing. They'll help us out. But I just thought I should advise you so you don't shoot at her."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the warning. Tell my Lieutenant he works for you. Now Whaddya say we get this effort rolling?"

"Will do. Captain Rex, out."

Rex then tried to give the radio back to Rick but Rick waved it away. "Keep it."

Rex replied, "Right. You heard you're Major, right?" Rick nodded and Rex continued. He gestured to a group of clones sifting through rubble. "Alright I'll need you to bolster my-" He was cut off by the sound of a blaster, and one of his clones having their head shot clean off.

One shouted, "SNIPER!".

Most of the clones ducked behind the gunships. Tanto squad reacted quickly and jumped behind their hog. No one could tell where it came from. There was nothing but desert so the enemy had to be camouflaged. James leveled his rifle on the hogs hood. He began strafing left to right. The tracers from his MG peppered the sand, hopefully suppressing any contacts.

Rex called out from behind his cover, the remains of a tractor from the Horizons vehicle bay. "It's a commando droid! If you see it, aim for the head!"

James replied, "Copy that!" And continued to spray fire left-to-right. That was, until a red laser-like projectile impacted the hogs hood, directly infront of him. He was forced to duck down. "I saw'em. 250 meters out. Prone."

"I got this." Katyusha popped up, looking over the hogs bed. Her eyes stared down the sight of her Longshot Battle Rifle. She pulled the trigger once, firing a 3-round burst. She saw one puff of dust and 2 sparks. This indicated two of her bullets had the target while one missed and hit the sand.

Next she saw movement. The target was well camouflaged. An untrained eye would not have been wiser to the enemies location. But she was. She fired three more bursts rapidly. The shots hit their mark. Still, the droid did not go down, but now it was panicked. It sat up and began firing rapidly at her. At this point she was forced to duck. Then, the clones opened up on it. A volley of blue fire from their blasters impacted the area and the droid went down.

Rex called out to his men as everyone began to move out from cover. "It's down! Now everyone hurry up! It had enough time to report our location!" Rex opened up a link with Commander Tano on his communicator. "Commander, we've been engaged. Watch yourself as you approach."

A female voice replied. "Thanks for the update. I'll be there soon."