I guess my other chapter fell through the pile of story updates so I didn't leave you guys for long!

Enjoy..

1200 hours, June 2545

Jake Evers sighed after he took a huge gulp of water from the river. He was rationing even his water so he was borderline dehydrated. Jada smiled at him as she did the same. The whole group had made it to the river without a hitch and were at the river like it was a picnic. The sun was in the middle of the sky glimmering off the flowing water. The edge of the water where Jada and Jake sat was sandy with a mix of larger rocks. The water was blue-green and seemed to go farther through the valley. It was actually beautiful to Jake.

The cabin members were either sitting on the river shore talking to each other or sitting closer to the forest sleeping getting a much needed break.

"I think we can stay here for the whole day, huh?" She asked with a giggle. She seemed to really take a liking to Jake and he could say the same for himself but he also had Holly in his mind that mysterious girl that one moment hated him then the next was batting her eyelashes at him.

"I would not mind but I doubt it. We have to get there earlier than we need to especially with the alien problem." He replied trying to make what he said light.

"That's exactly true," a voice behind Jake said. Turning around he identified it to be Rebecca Vern, a girl he never really talked to besides their leader meeting. Taking the hint Jada went back to the main group reluctantly, it was obvious leader stuff was about to be exchanged. Rebecca sat next to Jake making circles in the sand as she talked.

"What's up," Jake asked wondering what was going on.

"I wanted to talk to you about why those aliens are here. I figured I couldn't talk to Lee because he's always in his own little world on this trip and you just seemed more approachable." She said with a laugh.

That still doesn't explain it. There are other leaders that she knows better as well, Jake thought.

"Okay well, my opinion is they were put here by the Covenant and our trainers don't know it." Jake said firmly.

"But don't you think they would have scouted this place out before dumping us here?" Rebecca said staring at Jake with her intense eyes.

"No they want us to get the rawest experience possible, to me," Jake replied. Something told Jake she wanted to know more than just his opinion on the aliens.

"True. Well either way we'll make it."

"Yeah we will." Jake said with a reassuring smile. As he was about to head back to his post she stopped him.

"So where do you come from?" She asked curiosity shining in her eyes.

"New York and you?" This was strange, she seemed to want to learn about Jake which no one has done except Jada.

"California home of the original liberals." She said with a giggle. To Jake it seemed like she liked him and actually had the courage to openly talk with him. Rebecca was a fine girl but he knew nothing of her except her rebellious streak to go against what was ordered which Jake found interesting considering their circumstance.

"Nice-," before he could finish his sentences a familiar guttural roar sounded raising the hair on the back of his neck.

Jake whipped around from Rebecca and stood up instantly ready to fight, Rebecca following. Across the river were four elites with a bigger one in front of them, the one that roared. They each had different types of armor but the biggest one was the most ornate with many ridges and details on his helmet. It was an Officer rank with Minors.

Loaded guns clicked behind Jake as all the members with guns stood ready to fight. The elites didn't even move but just looked at the trainees. Jake's stomach twisted as he looked them in the eyes. These are the monsters that kill humans like ants, he thought. Jake had a bad feeling about this meeting. "Hold your fire," Jake heard Lee yell.

The lead elite roared again and one of the minors left and came back with a dead grizzly bear over his shoulders. It had claw marks all along its neck showing where the elite killed him with bare hands! They tossed it onto the ground in front of them and slowly backed away.

"I need two people with DMRs posted in trees right now to watch their movements," Jake said immediately when they were gone. He turned to Rebecca whose eyes were wide with fear. It seemed like a vulnerable moment for her and she quickly looked away. "Come on Rebecca don't worry. We need a meeting right now though." He said touching her on the shoulder and then jogging with her to where the alarmed kids were. This mission just got even more dangerous. And just when I thought it couldn't! Jake thought.

Later that day…

Khan Riu leaped on to a rocky outcrop and aimed his Battle Rifle around. He went ahead of the group with Ricky Rivers to scout. At the leadership meeting yesterday after the standoff with the elites the leaders unanimously agreed on pulling back the scouting parties and just having two members at the front, back, and sides of the group. Khan and Ricky volunteered the front because no one else did. During their hike Khan actually got to learn about Ricky. Though the biggest trait Khan learned about was his very short temper which Khan took advantage of.

"So what if I punched you right now?" Khan asked knowing exactly what Ricky would say.

"I would knock your lights out then feed you to the wolves." He replied his voice raising. Khan was making him answer these questions for hours and he knew Ricky was too tired to actually do something about it. "And how about you focus on the freakin objective."

"Alright, alright I will. For now." Khan smirked and looked further out past the first line of trees. The undergrowth was beginning to clear out allowing light patches to show on the ground appearing like a big speckled cat. Khan could see a huge rock in the distance through his scope. Their next goal before resting which Lee seemed intent on reaching. "Let's keep moving."

Ricky whistled a tune all the trainees knew which let them know the path was clear. Khan and Ricky side by side, a few meters apart, moved forward guns ready when they heard a rustle to their right. Ricky whistled yet again as Khan and he took the safeties off their weapons aiming at the bush. They heard a growl as a gray wolf came out his ears back and teeth in a snarl.

"Stay still and don't shoot," Khan said "And do not look him in the eyes." Khan scanned behind him and could see no other wolves. "He's a loner and injured." He whispered to Ricky. There was a red gash across his flank that was clotted with dried blood.

Khan's stomach flipped as the wolf inched forward. What do we do?! I don't want to kill it! He yelled in his mind. Then to his left Khan saw Ricky's red shirt stand up and approach the wolf slowly.

"What are you doing?" Khan whispered as loud as he could.

Ricky didn't answer as he walked a little bit closer until he was ten feet from the wolf. Ricky then yelled as loud as he could. But the results were not what he expected. The wolf launched itself onto Ricky and tried to maul him but Khan shot it once in the head before it could do real damage. It rolled off Ricky like a log and he stood up slowly checking himself for injuries.

"You okay man?" Khan asked.

"Yeah just a few nicks and bruises." He said his eyes slightly widened from fear. "Thanks for saving me man I would've been dead meat."

"Yeah that was idiotic to do!" Khan said as Lee and Mary showed up weapons at the ready.

"What happened?" Lee asked looking at the dead wolf with concern.

"Ricky tried to be a hard ass yelled at the thing and then I had to kill it." Khan said with a dry laugh. Khan was actually pretty shaken up. He did not want to see one of his teammates killed.

"Ricky we'll pull you off the job someone will fill in for you." Mary said looking rather angry but even more worried.

"For what?" Ricky asked bluntly.

"We'll discuss it later." She said and walked away.

The three guys all looked at each other and just followed her back to the group.

This guy is crazy first he kills an elite and now almost gets killed by a wolf! Khan thought and then voiced this to his brother Lee.

"I don't know but we'll have to watch him closely," Lee told Khan. "You can help me out with this."

"Sure," Khan said disdainfully. He didn't want to see the guy die but he didn't want to be a babysitter.

As always read and review. :)