Chapter 4

0944hrs, July 24, 2552, Visegrad Region, Planet Reach

The IFF in Natalia's HUD began to splash red beyond their position indicating hostile targets. She could feel her heart racing but did the best she could to keep her breathing under control. Sliding over to the set of picture windows looking out to the plain outside the team fanned out to seek out their contacts. Several squat, waddling forms could be seen moving towards the structure along with a number of taller avian-like creatures with pronounced snouts in support. One of them looked up at the top floor of the building seeing Noble Team and began squawking in alarm. All this happened around the same time so the shock for both sides was genuine. Several of the team called out in surprise but all now knew what they faced: Covenant.

The impossible had happened, somehow the Covenant were on Reach. Regardless of how it happened, there wasn't time for reflection. Instead it was time for action.

"Contact, contact!" Commander Carter called out on the open channel, "Spartans, assist!"

Natalia wasn't sure if the call for Spartans to help was a pointed remark towards her. In the heat of the moment it was unlikely the leader of the unit would make that kind of comment. More likely it showed subconsciously how the woman was viewed which wasn't encouraging. It didn't matter. She could feel panic welling up like bile as she looked at the creatures she'd only seen in pictures and video before moving in for the attack.

Mike saw the familiar sight of Covenant Grunts running about in alarm at their discovery while a group of Skirmishers bolted towards the building, running into the basement level. His heart sank as he realized the implications of this discovery. Though it looked like a raiding party the Covenant always moved in force, never doing anything in half measure. More unsettling was how they were able to approach and land on Reach undetected. Who knew how many were already on the planet?

"Noble Team, prepare to repel. Engage hostiles, weapons free."

The individual musing of the new members of Noble Team was cut off by the call of Commander Carter. "They're heading into the basement. Move down to the lower levels!" he ordered.

The team found stairs and moved down quickly. Mike was to the right of Emile who sprinted the steps three at a time. The aggressive Spartan spotted a Skirmisher coming up to the stairs. Before the attacker could raise its weapon Emile's shotgun belched, blowing the alien onto its back. Mike spotted a pair coming out of the sun to the lower level. While their eyes adjusted Mike brought his MA37 up letting rip a long burst that cut the Skirmishers down. Efficiently the Spartans cleared the lower level of the building then prepared to move outside into the courtyard. Instead they were met by a wall of plasma fire coming from all directions. Several times Mike and Emile tried to press out but each time they encountered enough enemy fire to push them back. Grunts with plasma rifles and pistols kept up a steady fire while Jackals sniped at them from above.

Jorge arrived and added firepower from his M247H Heavy Machine Gun allowing Mike to switch to his M6G pistol. Squatting down to lower his silhouette to get a good shot it didn't really work for the 6' 9" armor clad Spartan. Still, they needed to knock the snipers out to get away from the bottle neck. Ignoring the hits he was taking, thumbing the 2x's scope he looked for the openings in the Jackal's shields and systematically knocked them out of their advantageous position with the pistol's armor-piercing, high-explosive rounds.

Losing their covering firepower the Grunts were forced to fall back giving Noble an opportunity. Without hesitating the Spartans moved out into the courtyard of the structure to engage the growing number of creatures rallying to the sound of battle.

Natalia had followed behind the team down the stairs unsure what to do. The woman was amazed at the reaction speed of the Spartans. Before she could see the basement already the sound of battle filled the air and seemed to be moving outside. Her IFF filled up with swirling contacts and the moving friendly tags of Noble Team. Not wanting to be left behind and also to prove she belonged with them, the aggressive woman put on a burst of speed to catch up. Sprinting outside her helmet visor adjusted to the bright sunshine as her eyes did the same thing. Already Noble Team had cleared the farm's courtyard and had moved efficiently across a footbridge in an attempt to secure the farm structure from Covenant reinforcements that had just been dropped beyond the horizon.

Already the battle was hot with armored slugs buzzing like angry bees and plasmas bolts and Needler rounds flying like fireworks. The fight was fluid with Spartans and Covenant flitting around, looking for any advantage.

Natalia had trouble processing the action and looking for a place to help out. Unsure what to do, she ended up stopping dead in her tracks in the open. Coming from behind several tall, rolled hay bales two Grunts who'd been hiding waddled out. They saw Natalia at the same time she spotted them, each recognizing the threat. She raised her assault rifle to fire. Jerking the trigger nothing happened. Looking down at the inoperative weapon she realized she still had the safety on. That momentary pause allowed the Grunts to recover and both fired their plasma pistols at her. Caught off guard the energy bolts hit her square on. If she hadn't been wearing MJOLINIR Armor she'd have been dead. Still, the plasma drained her shield and an alarm claxon went off in her ears signaling her shield was drained. Unsure what to do she panicked and ran from the Grunts who also ran away from her. The scene may have been comedic if not for the carnage all around.

A Jackal approached from the left so with the safety now off Natalia let loose a burst from her MA5B assault rifle but the rounds bounced harmlessly off the bird-like creature's energy shield. It returned fire with its Needler, the crystalline projectiles scoring several hits and draining her energy shield until the warning again sounded in her ears. While the scavenger fired at her Jorge swept the field with his machine gun cutting down Natalia's attacker as she fell back. Backing away to allow her shield to recharge she moved behind a tall rock that rose into the air like a spire and right into the path of a burnished armor Elite carrying an Energy Sword.

Though Mike was disturbed to find the Covenant on Reach in some ways he was happy he didn't have to fight human insurgents again. Now he could focus on his true enemy. He'd charged with Emile down the stairs and cleared the lower level. Now out in the open the seasoned Spartan had been systematically dealing with targets as they appeared. It appeared as if the group of Covenant was only an advance party so Noble Team was quickly dealing with the haphazard attack laid onto the farming complex.

Then he saw Natalia.

The ONI officer had stumbled into a group of Grunts then been hit by a number of Needler rounds. It was obvious to his trained eye that the woman was out of her element. He knew her armor would keep her safe until they could finish this skirmish and then sort the head-strong woman out. But then the Elite began to make a move towards her, seeming to sense an easy kill. Mike had no shot so disengaged from a pair of Skirmishers and sprinted to help the reeling woman. Though extremely frustrated with the development he was also doing something about it rather than let Natalia die. The introspective man wondered why that was. He'd seen death before, several lifetimes' worth. He had no connection with the woman yet he went to aid her even though part of him thought she deserved to die for forcing herself into this fight. Curious. The thought would have to wait since if he didn't pick up the pace it would be too late and she'd be dead.

The Elite seemed to grin as its four mandibles spread apart. Triumphantly yelling something that Natalia couldn't understand, it raised a glowing energy sword to strike. Frozen in place the woman who'd always been able to work her way out of a situation shrank back, nothing able to help her. In that split second before the death stroke came she calmly realized she likely deserved this end. She had no right to be there in the first place, she thought, and was only there because of the influence of her father and her own pride. That stung, more likely than the sword would hurt. Natalia was sad she'd not be able to live long enough to do something about this revelation.

Roaring in victory the Elite swung with all its power so didn't see the rushing Spartan who slammed into the side of the taller Sangheili.

Mike had timed his rush perfectly. He caught the Elite unaware in mid-strike. Driving his shoulder into the armored creature's midsection he heard the wind rush out of the Elite's lungs. At the same time the Spartan snapped his head up to catch the Elite under the chin. The twin force was enough to stagger the bigger creature. Too close to use his weapons Mike instead swung the butt-end of his Assault Rifle around catching it on the side of the head. The Elite stumbled and fell to its knees, shield drained, dropping its sword. Mike battered away savagely at the head of the defenseless creature until it fell to the ground dead.

Natalia was sure she was dead then felt the exhilaration of relief when Mike Nantz came to her rescue. The savage fury she witnessed though watching the Spartan beat the bigger creature to death was not only startling but breathtaking. Hands blurring he swung again and again and again relentlessly pummeling the Elite until it move no more. He then turned to her and ripped off his helmet.

"You've got to keep up, Misriah!" Mike yelled at Natalia angrily. "We don't have time for you to learn on the job." Replacing his helmet and giving a nod to the chastised woman for emphasis he turned away and moved back to rejoin the team who were already pushing further out to engage more Covenant reinforcements that had dropped nearby from a Spirit dropship.

Natalia was left in Mike's wake, as the battle moved further away from her, with mixed feelings of relief, embarrassment, thankfulness and fear but also another, deeper emotion, she couldn't quite put her finger on welling out of her heart.

Noble Team pushed out from the farm to a small river fed from a picturesque waterfall where they formed a position to sweep the area clean of Covenant. Re-engaged, Natalia sprinted to catch up to the Spartans who were mopping up the mixed company of invaders. Face burning in shame the proud woman was determined to help where she could but found every time she moved to engage someone from Noble was already there. While they moved with precision she bounced around like a pinball trying to get involved. Then, just as quickly as it began, the skirmish was over.

"Stand down Noble, stand down," Carter ordered. "Contacts neutralized."

"Contacts?" Jorge exclaimed incredulously. "It's the damn Covenant!"

"Cheer up, big man: this whole valley just turned into a free-fire zone," Emile added, loading fresh rounds into his shotgun.

Noble's commander ignored the interchange. He had work to do. "Kat, we've got to warn Holland. I need you at that relay outpost now."

"Boss," Jun cut in from above in the Falcons that had chased off several Covenant aircraft, "I'm showing more activity to the east!"

"Copy that, Jun, we're on it. Six, you've got point," Carter ordered, assessing the situation.

Rather than wait, the team sprang into action with Mike in the lead. The Spartan felt odd having someone at his back. Charging across the creek they plowed into the Grunt screen trying to envelope them. The smaller, chattering creatures were yet again being used to run interference for their Elite masters. This time three Elite Ultras were in the mix causing a difficult dilemma for Noble team. One on their own was dangerous enough but three with support would be a challenge. With Emile on his left and Jorge on the right Mike went right up the middle. Coming into contact he lobbed a fragmentation grenade to shake things up. The blast that followed had the desired effect. Several of the Grunts Methane breathing tanks exploded causing added chaos in their ranks. The skittish creatures scattered in panic waving their arms in the air. Mike encouraged their retreat with steady fire from his assault rifle. The action allowed the two other members of Noble in the lead to engage the Elites without having to worry about their covering screen. Emile pumped several shotgun rounds into the armored Covenant warrior who was trying to angle in. Each slug drained more of the Elite's shield until it went down. The Sangheili tried to withdraw but Emile wouldn't allow him, charging afterwards and pumping more rounds in finally putting him down. On the other side Jorge opened up with his heavy machine gun. Before he'd run through half a belt the Elite lay face down in a smoldering mess of its own entrails.

The third Elite had fallen back to rally the skittish Grunts so they came charging back in earnest, seeking to sweep over the three exposed members of Noble Team. Mike caught the move out of his peripheral vision so moved fluidly to intercept. Shifting left he moved through an animal pen that gave him some cover allowing him to flank the enemy. Bursting out Mike sprayed automatic fire knocking down three Grunts who'd come out from a roll of straw. His flank clear the Spartan then switched focus to the Elite who had to check his progress due to the armor piercing rounds pinging on its shield. The Sangheili warrior was satisfied his overshield would hold but he'd fallen for Mike's ruse. The assault rifle fire had been a distraction for the fragmentation grenade that landed at its feet. With a roar the warrior tried to move but was too late. The grenade exploded, shredding one Grunt but more importantly draining the Elite's shield. Mike followed up with pouring half a clip from his MA37 into the surprised creature. With the three leaders down the remaining Grunts scattered but were quickly dispatched by Kat and Carter.

Again, things got quiet. Natalia caught up to the group that had again moved quicker then she'd expected. The woman had tried to rely on the tactics she'd learned at the Academy but the quick assault laid on by Noble Team had been unexpected. She'd moved one bound, like the data text had taught and waited for them to consolidate. They hadn't, instead aggressively pushing forward and leaving her trying to cover a flank position that no longer existed. The radio chatter hadn't helped as the team called out to each other in a frenzied symphony she couldn't figure out. By the time she'd caught up with the others they were standing together, helmets off, assessing the situation. Jogging up she left her helmet on to hide the sheepish look on her face.

"Stop for some sightseeing, ma'am?" Kat asked her sarcastically.

"I…I got caught out of position," Natalia stammered in reply. She saw Emile roll his eyes while Kat sneered at her. Mike's face was granite, unable to be read.

"I think that happened when you left the Grafton," Kat replied mockingly as Emile howled with laughter.

"Stow it Two," Commander Carter ordered, "we don't have time for that crap." The officer stared hard at the smirking Kat until she looked away. "Okay, we've got a serious situation here. This is no probe, it's an invasion so we need to get in the game and find out what's going on. Three, you copy?"

"Here sir," Jun replied from the Falcon.

"Our comms are still down and we're blind here. We need to get back on line and bring command up to speed. What do you see?"

"Commander, I'm seeing more hostile activity to the North-East," Jun reported.

"Roger that," Carter acknowledged. Then ensuring he had the team's attention he ordered, "Emile, you're with Kat. Six, Jorge and I will run interference on the ground. We'll meet you at the outpost." Seeing Natalia standing awkwardly off to the side he sighed to himself at the additional complication he had to deal with. "Lt. Commander," he said to her, "you may as well come with us."

"Noble Two, requesting air-lift, over," Kat called to the hovering pair of Falcons. Seeing Natalia following Commander Carter, Jorge and Mike to a flatbed truck they were heading towards she trotted over to the group. "Hey Mike," she called out, helmet off, "you take care. No more babysitting, okay? See you on the other side. I guess we'll have a wait a bit to catch up." She gave him a good-natured shoulder bump then glared icily at Natalia as she walked past.

"Get to work, Noble," Carter ordered and the group split to its assignments.

No one said anything but awkward silence hung like thick, dripping humidity. Natalia wanted to get on the Falcon and leave. She knew she didn't fit in, that this was a mistake, that she was in over her head, but she was also stubborn enough and determined enough to not give up. Okay, so she had no experience, she was out of her element and they were fighting the Covenant but she had abilities and was a fast learner. Something deep inside of her wanted to prove to Noble Team she belonged. It wasn't pride, or else she hoped it wasn't. No, rather, she wanted to contribute to something besides her own fortunes, perhaps for the first time in her life. She saw something in this group she desperately wanted to be part of. Then her gaze fell onto Noble Six. He hopped behind the wheel of the truck and fired it up as the other two got into position. If she wanted to be accepted by Noble Team she desperately wanted to be accepted by Mike Nantz, Mike-B312. The why wasn't as clear as with the others. She was still irritated by his rebuke from earlier when he'd helped her. No, he'd done more than that, he'd saved her life. Did she owe him? But that wasn't it either. Perhaps it was the look on his face when he looked at her-disappointment. She'd never disappointed anyone before. It had always been the other way around. In a way it seemed that this enigmatic Spartan could see right through her, which both bothered and intrigued her. Regardless, she had to correct Mike's perception her of, she just HAD to.

"Come on Misriah mount up," Mike called testily from the truck, "we don't have all day."

Natalia realized she'd been standing there musing while the others waited for her to jump in. Yet more disappointment to overcome.