June 27, 2532. (Military Calendar)

Sansar, Outer Colonies

It had been another year in the UNSC and the war wasn't getting any better. It can't last forever right? Yeah, that's what we all thought.

Now we were back in the Outer Colonies in some backwater planet being pummeled by the Covenant over and over. Well, now would be a good time to get my head in the game.

"INCOMING!"

I hit the dirt, more like mud, and burrowed deep as a plasma bombardment slammed into the ground; turning a Warthog into glass and the crew into a human barbeque. The rains haven't let up for a week and now we had to slosh through the mud to our emplacements and barricades. For two weeks the Covies have thrown everything they had at us to break through to the evacuation point and for two weeks I've been knee-deep in mud, blood, and shit I don't wanna know about.

I've seen enough freckled-faced marines get impaled by zealots to last a lifetime. It never ends; half the time I'm lucky to get a few hours of sleep otherwise its stims, stims, and more stims.

"Parker, get Jun's gun up and running!" I ordered as I sprinted forward. It was times like this that I envied Kaipo and his strength; running in full armor and mud sucking at your boots isn't as easy as it sounds.

Sliding forward, I slipped into the trench that made up the front lines of Sansar. The southern hemisphere had been glassed in the initial attack and now the northern hemisphere was next if our fleet didn't hold.

Bolts of plasma and needle shards exploded all around as I made my way through the trench to the forward command post. Slapping the guard on the shoulder, I ducked inside and found Kaipo sitting on an ammo crate and Brooke peering over a holo-map with a black-armored man; a Spook by the look of him.

Kaipo was nursing a flesh wound from a plasma knife received yesterday. A fat grunt had tried to skewer the big guy, but tripped over his own feet. Sad thing is that Kaipo still got cut by the stupid Covie. Rotten luck.

"Lt. Covies got Wraiths coming up on the perimeter." I said as I pulled my helmet off and running my fingers through my shaggy, wet hair. I'd need a haircut if I made it off the planet.

"Already got Scorpions taking care of them, staff sergeant." Brooke replied quickly, pointing at a place on the map as she spoke to the Spook.

"What's going on?" I asked Kaipo, sitting down and grabbing a ration bar from a passing corpsman who was handing a few out.

"Spook came in bout an hour ago with some mission for the team, but Jones aint having it. The Covies are making another push and we're needed on the line." Kaipo replied.

"I could tell you the Covies are pushing, dammit. Jun just got his face burned off by a sniper and another Warthog blew too." I swallowed the stale bar before pulling a pack of cigarettes out.

"Thought Jones hated that stuff?" Kaipo muttered as he undid his bandage.

"I need a smoke man. Besides she's all caught up with her own shit." I sighed as I sucked in the nicotine filled smoke. Brooke may hate it, but I don't know if I could give it up as much as she begged, pleaded, and ordered. Ha, that had been a funny date.

"You two still are having problems?" Kaipo asked, hissing as he rubbed biofoam onto the wound.

"If only it was problems. She's changed since Reach, bro. She true blue UNSC now." I replied; smoke trickling out of my nostrils. "I could care less if she sees me smoking now."

"Well, you better get rid of that cuz here she comes."

Cursing softly, I stamped the butt out on my shoulder guard before rising to meet Brooke. Kaipo snickered behind me and I softly kicked back at his shin.

"We've got a mission."

"Shit." Kaipo threw his hands up before standing as well.

"Relax, Kaipo, you'll love it." Brooke crossed her arms before speaking. "ONI has given us some valuable intel on a target behind the Covie lines. A team of three will be dropped off a few miles back and take out the commanding elite in this area; this will cause enough chaos that we can rescue civilians trapped behind enemy lines."

"Ma'am, is the elite Zealot class?" I asked, pulling another cigarette out and lighting it.

"Field Master class, our spy drones have him exactly six miles past no-man's land in the ruins of some village. We're never going to get a better shot at this." The Spook stepped forward, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Who're you?" I asked; smoke trickling out of my nostrils.

"Commander Marcus Parks. I am in charge of the reports coming and going from the planet and morale needs a boost." The commander spoke with a posh English accent; a bushy mustache helping to make him look like an old gentleman, but he was a Spook, so that threw that theory out the window.

"Parks? Any relation to a Sophia Parks; blonde, bout yea big?" I raised my hand, estimating the height of my former ONI handler.

"My wife, but-

"Ha, so spooks do have feelings…ya learn something every day." I laughed harshly; grinning when Brooke fumed and turned red with anger. "Tell me, who wears the pants in the relationship

I don't know why, but whenever she got angry I couldn't help but laugh. She was like a little kid when she got mad…yet, she was a little kid with the authority to make my life hell.

"Staff Sergeant, you will remember your respect when addressing a superior officer." Brooke snapped. "Commander Parks has selected you, Kaipo, and Dell for the mission. You should be grateful."

"No, lieutenant, I am not grateful." I stood up, anger and exhaustion finally taking over. "The line needs every marine available and I'm not going to leave it until we get reinforcements. You should know that instead of trying to further your own career; that's not what a leader does."

"Stand down, staff sergeant! You have been given a mission and unless you wish to spend the remainder of your service in the brig; you will follow my orders." Brooke snapped, pushing past Parks and standing in front of me. "Do you get me?"

"Yes ma'am, I get you." I turned away from her, tossing the half-smoked cigarette to the ground. "Kaipo, grab your gear and meet me at the Pelican; I'll grab Dell."

I turned to leave, pulling my helmet over my soaked head when I heard Brooke's voice.

"You're not dismissed, staff sergeant." She huffed.

Turning around, I spat out the stub of my smoke before stepping out into the rain. Looking up, I could see the occasional blob of superheated plasma rocket over the trenches and land somewhere in the compound.

"Eric…Hey, Eric!"

I kept walking through the rain as Marx came running up to me. Her brown hair soaked underneath her patrol cap and she grinned despite the rain coming down her face. Her helmet dangled from her hip as she walked beside me.

"Bucket is meant for your head, Marx, not your hip." I muttered as we walked down the trench; passing marines and army personnel as they carried crates of ammunition and performed their duties. "What's got you in such a good mood?"

"Got a letter from my parents; they've moved to Earth and settling down in North America. My dad got transferred from Luna and now they're the safest they can be. Why wouldn't I be in a good mood?" Marx almost had a skip in her step as we crouched by an artillery emplacement.

A crewmember waved us through as they began shelling some target in the distance. Despite my hearing protection, the big gun still left a ringing in my ears.

"Good for them. Earth can't be hit." I couldn't help but think of my parents on Mars. My dad and his work with architecture and my mom…her cancer isn't getting any better.

"Mars is going to be fine, Eric. The Covies can't find Earth or Mars."

"Well, they've found enough of humanity that we're now endangered." I snapped as we ran across the open ground; mud once again sticking to my boots.

Weaving in and out of sandbagged barricades and foxholes; we made our way into an armored shelter where the Pelicans were stored. From what I could see, Lieutenant Towers was assigned to us for the mission as the Pelican currently had Dell and Kaipo standing beside it.

"Kaipo, we ready?" I shouted across the hanger; going to join them only to be jerked back by the collar of my armor.

"Whatever the hell you're going through you need to get it figured out. You get your head in the game…come on, I know you and this isn't you." Marx said as she tapped my chestpiece with her finger.

"I don't know what you think, but I'm fine." I muttered before turning away.

"No, you're not dammit! I've been with you since you got out of the brig and I know when you're messed up. Now tell me, please." She grasped my armor and tightened the straps holding my vest and armored plates.

"I…Its just-

"Staff Sergeant Banner!"

"Oh, shit." Marx whispered as Brooke…no, Jones, came walking up flanked by a pair of marines bearing submachine guns. She backed away and went to stand with Dell and Kaipo; who draped a massive hand on her shoulder.

"Yes, Lieutenant Jones?" I said as I came to attention.

"Staff Sergeant Banner, you have been highly disrespectful to Commander Parks and myself. The UNSC does not stand for insubordination in any way. What do you have to say for yourself?" Jones sounded like she was reading right out of the book.

"These men here to take me away?" I said as I dropped out of attention; crossing my arms.

The two marines shifted as I spoke; their eyes looking back and forth from one another. Jones cleared her throat before speaking again.

"As much as Commander Parks wanted to throw you into the brig, we need you on the line and this mission. Know this, you will not have me protecting you anymore, I've risked enough for you. My career is on the line because of this." Jones said as stepped forward; pulling me aside. "Dammit, Eric. ONI doesn't stand for shit like this."

"And what do you stand for, lieutenant? I thought we had something or has the last year been nothing but little whispers in the dark?"

"Watch what you say, dammit, you want that to get out?" Jones hissed, glancing around.

"Oh, so now you're ashamed of being with me?" I whispered harshly. "You sure have changed since Reach."

"You're bringing that up again?" Jones muttered, tossing her hands up in the air. "You know what, if that's how you're acting than I'm done. Staff Sergeant, you have a job to do; get out of my face."

"Aye, aye, ma'am."

I brushed past her, my shoulder bumping into her as I boarded the Pelican; Dell and Kaipo silent as I took my seat near the cockpit. Marx glanced at me and then Jones before boarding as well. Taking a seat next to me, she stared straight into my eyes as the Pelican shuddered as it lifted off.

"You're not supposed to come with us, Marx." I said, cradling my helmet in my hands.

"What happened on Reach?"

Xxxxxx

Reach, Manassas-Two Days after Insurgent Attack.

I shouted as I woke from the dream; cold sweat dripping down my back as my chest heaved. I dreamed of the attack on the museum again and how I had killed another human being. My hands shook as I wiped sweat from my face and turned to set my feet on the floor of the hotel room.

"Mmm, what's wrong?" Jones asked as she sat up; clutching the sheet to hide her nakedness. "Dream?"

Nodding, I walked to the bathroom and dunked my head under the sink; the cold water refreshing me as it ran over my scalp. Noticing movement, I stood up as Jones came behind me; wrapping her arms around my chest and burying her face into my shoulder.

"What happened, Eric?"

"The Insurgents attacking, me shooting them, and then I can't wash their blood off my hands." I sighed, turning off the water and turning to face her wrapping my arms around her. "It's just a dream, but it seems as real as when it happened. I killed humans, Brooke…why aren't they helping us?"

"They're Innies, Eric. They think they have the right to secede from the UNSC when they don't. Don't worry about them and come back to bed." She smiled sweetly.

"That's not it, Brooke. Why can't we just let them; so what if they want to leave the UNSC; we can just keep political ties with them. No harm done and we can focus on the Covenant." I leaned against the sink; crossing my arms. "The UNSC try to controls everything and you know it. Why do you think they want to secede…I would too if I was them."

"What are you saying? You believe in Insurgency?" Jones whispered as she took a step back.

Groaning, I walked past her and pulled on a pair of briefs and shorts. Jones pulled the sheet off the bed and wrapped herself in it as she watched me dress.

"What are you doing?"

"Going to clear my head, I can't ignore the fact that I killed humans." I replied as I pulled a sleeveless shirt over my head.

"Dammit, Eric, how can I say this bluntly? They are Innies, they deserved what they got! You don't see Kaipo crying about putting them down."

"Don't say that again! They were people with families! With lives and I killed them!" I shouted, pointing a finger at Jones. "They aren't rapid animals to be put down. I joined the UNSC to fight the Covenant and PROTECT humanity. I believe in serving the people, not killing them. What do you believe, Brooke?"

"I believe in the rules and standards the UNSC are based upon. Not the shit that the Innies spout out. The UNSC is the best thing that has ever happened to humanity and they need to realize that. If we have to put them down, then a few will be put down." Jones shouted as she threw the sheet down and began getting dressed. "I won't repeat any of this…this discussion to anyone as long as you never speak of the Innies again. They deserved a bullet the instant they broke away from the UNSC."

I stared at Jones with new eyes. "You would make a great Spook, you know? Whatever you say, they are people."

Having enough, I threw open the door; leaving a dent in the wall where it slammed, and walked out. As I walked down the carpeted hallway, I thought that maybe it would get better over time; that I would forget. My father had forgotten his service so maybe I would too.

One could hope, right?

Xxxxx

Present.

"So, that's where we are now. Jones just cut me loose and I feel like a weight is off my chest. Damn girl, how could she justify killing people even if their beliefs are different?" I shook my head as I pulled a cigarette out and lit it.

Marx stared at me before pulling the cigarette out of my mouth and sticking it in hers. My mouth hung open as she sucked at the cancer-stick and I laughed as I lit another.

"I didn't even know this was going on. I mean, I knew you two were arguing, but never thought you regretted killing the Insurgents so much." Marx said as she leaned against the bulkhead.

"Yeah, do you?" I asked.

Turning to face me, Marx only shook her head. Before I could ask how she didn't, she spoke.

"I didn't have a sidearm with me when it happened and I helped Kaipo get his family out. I thought you were behind us and when you weren't we tried to go back. Cops wouldn't let us. I never killed a human before and I hope I won't." Marx said as she looked out the Pelican's open bay. "I may not like the Insurgents way of acting, but freedom is something that everyone should have. I agree that the UNSC should remember that."

We had flown for about fifteen minutes now; high in the altitude as Towers searched for a clear drop zone. Luckily, the bad weather masked us from the Covie anti-air so we hadn't been shot out of the air yet. I had told her to hover when she found the landing zone and that we would HALO jump when an area was found. Kaipo and Dell had already pulled on their drop helmets which shrouded their faces from view, but I think Dell had fallen asleep.

"Well, at least that's something we agree on. I thought you didn't smoke?" I asked as I threw my butt out the bay and watched it be swept up by the wind.

"I don't always, but-

"STAFF SERGEANT!" Towers yelled from the cockpit. "Get in here!"

Rushing forward, I found myself deafened by shouting and explosions. "What is this?"

"Distress signal from the front lines; Covies just brought in reinforcements and pounded the lines. Lieutenant Jones just called for us back. Get strapped in, I'm hitting the afterburners; think you can make the jump onto the base?"

"We're Recon, we can take it." I said as I came back into the bay. Kaipo and Dell stared at me from behind their masked helmets. "Get strapped in; lines are being overrun."

"Damn, any word from the Fleet?" Dell asked as he tightened the straps on his parachute and took his seat.

"Not yet, I'm sure they're plenty busy upstairs. Kaipo, when we jump, take the high ground. Dell and Marx get to the medical trench and make sure the wounded get out." I ordered as we took our seats and prepared for a hot drop.

I had just sat when Towers kicked on the afterburners and sent the Pelican shooting forward as fast as the dropship could stand. I gritted my teeth as the gee forces pulled at my body and I could hear Dell cheering wildly; he always liked going fast. Kaipo only swore over and over as he clutched at the ring hanging with his dog tags.

I looked over at Marx just as she looked at me. I couldn't see past the visor, but I knew she was staring at me.

"While we're getting the wounded, what are you going to do?" She asked, switching over to a private channel.

"Going to go save my ex."

Wow, been awhile since I updated. Sorry bout all that, my computer decided to crap out on me and I had to find another way to write. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and hope to hear from some of y'all in a review…come on, please. Don't make me beg, press the button.