Vilan lay in his bunk of the prefab building that was serving as their barracks back at the FOB. He had just survived his first taste of combat, had even killed some of the enemy himself, and to celebrate that victory he lay sound asleep. For the first time since basic, since his father had been killed, he dreamed. It was a pleasant dream one that caused his mandibles to twist into a smile as he slept.
He was dreaming he was back on his home planet and he was younger but more importantly his father was still alive. Vilan was walking through the still young crops only going up to his waist. He was walking towards his father who was sweating and toiling away tilling the land and pulling weeds. The crops went just a little higher than his father's knees as he swung the long handled tool at the dirt. Vilan crouched down so the crops went over his head hiding him from view as he still advanced on his working father. Once Vilan was within arm lengths of his father and he still had his back to the young Vilan as he worked the land. Vilan jumped out and landed on his father's back wrapping his arms around him.
"I have you father," Vilan said his voice already starting to become deep. His father let out a hardy laugh
"Yes you do little one," Jones said dropping his tool. He reached up and pulled Vilan off his back and placed him on the ground. "I don't know about you but I could take a break for lunch."
"As I could as well father," Vilan said looking up at his father.
"Good," His father said placing a hand on Vilan's head and started walking back towards their house. They reached their house and his father opened the door and let Vilan go in first. He walked in expecting to see his mother working in the kitchen food already on the table. Instead Vilan was his current age and height, dressed in a UNSC marine uniform and holding a tray of food. He was no longer in his house but a noisy mess hall where there was the low mummer of conversation and the sound of forks hitting metal trays. Vilan looked around and found himself standing in the middle of the mess hall between two tables and looked around for someone he knew. That's when he saw his father, also dressed in uniform seating at a table across the room. Vilan started to make his way over to him when Drill Instructor Willy got in his way.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING PRIVATE!" Willy demanded. "THAT'S FOR MARINES ONLY! NOT FUCKING RECRUITS! UNDERSTAND?!""
"Sir yes sir!" Vilan shouted as he sat at a table with other recruits he didn't know. Vilan looked down and was about to start eating when he saw his tray was gone and replaced with an assault rifle. He quickly looked around and saw that he was sitting in a Pelican dropship jump seat with a squad of marines. Setting across from him was his father wearing his uniform and in full battle rattle like the rest of them. When Vilan was younger he hadn't know what his father's rank had been but know he knew he was a gunnery sergeant.
"Alright," His father said speaking to the squad. "This is it, actual combat. Remember your training, stick to cover and only move if someone has you covered. You do that and we all come back in one piece."
"Oorah!" The marines shouted in unison. His father then turned to look at Vilan and the two locked eyes.
"You ready marine?" He asked him. Vilan's chest swelled with pride for his father had just called him a marine.
"Yes father," Vilan said. His father simply nodded and then reached across the ship and patted him on the shoulder. A second later the dropship shuttered as it landed and then the ramp dropped the marines rushing out. Vilan's father in the lead and Vilan himself right behind him. Suddenly there was the sound of a Covenant carbine firing and blood blossomed for his father's throat as he fell to the ground. Vilan stopped and dropped to his knees ripping his med kit from his belt as blood bubbled from his father's neck and mouth.
"MEDIC!" Vilan screamed at the top of his lungs. Vilan tried to get a dressing on the wound but it kept bleeding through. His CLS training told him there was nothing he could do and his father was going to bleed out in under two minutes this brought tears to his eyes. "Hang on father." Vilan said tears dripping from his eyes. "You're going to be fine." Vilan lied as he held his father's hand in his claw. "MEDIC!" Vilan screamed over his shoulder before looking at his father.
"Sorry," His father said weakly blood bubbling from his mouth. "All my fault."
"No father," Vilan said quickly tears still running down his face. "It is not your fault. It could never be your fault."
"Sorry," His father said barely above a whisper as he closed eyes.
"No," Vilan said shaking his father trying to get him to open his eyes. "Father you cannot leave me, not again. MEDIC!" Vilan screamed over his shoulder again before looking at his father again. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, nonononononono." Vilan said shaking his father trying to weak him up. He then started CPR pressing down on his father's chest knowing it would do no good but he refused to simply give in. "You can't leave me!" Vilan shouted as he continued with the chest compressions. When Vilan finally accepted the fact that his father was dead he tilted his head back and let out a rage filled roar.
Vilan awoke then sitting bolt upright in his bunk, lucky to get a top one for he would have hit his head if he had a bottom one. He looked around in fear that his roar had been real, but no one else seemed awake. Vilan dropped to the floor his bare feet hitting the cold metal floor and walked off to the bathroom. He stood in front of a skin, turned the water on and splashed some on his face. Feeling a little better he walked back to his bunk and jumped up carefully as not to wake Zimmerman who slept on the bottom bunk. Vilan lay on his back staring at the ceiling and remained that way till the lights snapped on telling it was time for wake up. Being already awake Vilan jumped down and went to his footlocker and started to pull a uniform it so he could change out of PTs.
"You're sure bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning," Zimmerman commented as he still sat on his bunk and yawned. Vilan stopped digging and looked over his shoulder to see his own back.
"I do not have a tail," Vilan remarked as he stripped off his PT trunks. Zimmerman sighed and rubbed his forehead it was too early in the morning for this.
"Just get dressed so we can go get some chow before the line gets too long," Zimmerman mumbled as he got up and stretched his back. He then walked to his own footlocker and pulled his hygiene kit out before heading to the bathroom to shave. Vilan meanwhile sat on Zimmerman's bunk to tuck his pants into his boots. After that he pulled on his uniform jacket and zipped it up before he smoothed it out getting out any wrinkles. Now fully dressed Vilan relocked his footlocker just as Zimmerman walked out of the bathroom a dot of shaving cream drying on his right earlobe. After Zimmerman got dressed while Vilan tightened up his bunk the two young marines left the barracks. Since they were still pretty fresh out of basic they were the first ones done and to leave to barracks.
The sun was just starting to come up bathing the FOB in a golden light the air just starting to get warm. They we forced to walk a mile to get to the mess hall but there was no line on the outside and only a short line on the inside. They got their trays loaded down with scrambled eggs, bacon, diced potatoes and toast. They sat across from each other at an empty table and started to eat at the fast pace they had learned in basic training. Once they finished eating shortly afterwards instead of immediately getting up they stayed sitting, unlike basic training.
"So what's the deal with you and Fox?" Zimmerman asked finishing his glass of red drink.
"What do you mean?" Vilan asked dropping his gaze to the bits of egg that were still stuck to his tray.
"Really?" Zimmerman asked raising an eyebrow. "The way she glares at you, man if looks could kill. Then she has be going out of her way to avoid you it seems."
"I have not noticed," Vilan lied scraping his fork on his tray.
"Fine if you don't want to talk about," Zimmerman said with a shrug.
"How's it going?" Sergeant Stevens asked as he sat down at their table with his own tray. "How you two liking the rangers?"
"I can't complain sergeant," Zimmerman said with a shrug.
"How about you there Jones?" Stevens asked just before he shoved egg into his mouth.
"I have enjoyed my time here very much," Vilan said. "When will we see combat again sergeant?"
"Wow," Stevens remarked. "Most people do not look forward to combat. But as it so happens we have a mission in a few hours. After breakfast get into full battle rattle and meet at the armory."
"Yes sergeant," Vilan said getting to his feet picking up his tray.
"Wow cool your jets highspeed," Stevens said holding up a hand. "Take a seat and stay a bit you have a few hours." Vilan nodded and sat back down just as Monkey did.
"Zimmerman and long bones Jones," He said cheerfully as he sat. "How the hell are you?"
"Well I woke up before the sun, on an planet millions of miles from my home and any family, fighting a superior enemy. So good I guess," Zimmerman said with a shrug.
"Outstanding," Monkey said still cheery. "How about you Jones? Sleep well and all that?" Vilan's dream flashed into his mind and shook his head a single time in an attempt to get rid of.
"I slept well enough," Vilan said wishing he could forget the dream.
"Excellent," Monkey said and then turning to face Stevens. "I've finished changing out the shocks on our vehicles from the last mission. You need anything else Jack?"
"Not right away," Stevens said after swallowing a mouthful of food.
"Morning," Ghost said taking his seat next to Vilan and started to eat. Stevens eyed him suspiciously Ghost seeing it. "Yes sergeant?" He asked.
"Didn't you have KP duty this morning?" Stevens asked as Ghost was supposed to be helping sever breakfast that morning.
"Funny story about that," Ghost explained. "I got up early to finish some adjustments to a batch of rifles and completely forgot. Also it seems the runner they sent after me couldn't seem to locate me." The last part Ghost said with a large cheesy smile. Stevens just sighed and shook his head and returned to his food. Hotshot and Hawk sat down then Hawk's tray have quite a bit more food on it then anyone else's.
"Good fucking morning," Hotshot said while yawning. Hawk just nodded to everyone just before he started to eat. "What's the brief?" Hotshot asked as he started on his toast.
"Wait for everyone to be present," Stevens said finishing his food and pushing his tray away from him. Raptor and Fox sat down at the same time just as Stevens finished his last thought. Raptor flashed a smile to the squad as Fox gave Vilan a death glare he had grown accustom to after that incident with the showers his first day.
"Speak of the fucking devil," Hotshot said. "We're all here, unofficial brief if you please sergeant." Everyone turned to face Stevens.
"Alright we have a simple loop and snoop," Stevens explained. "Dropped 10 clicks out and picked up 10 clicks from the objective. Command wants us to scout a small town a few miles from here. It was evaced before the Covenant could get there but there has been some unconfirmed reports that the refinery there is still operational. They want us to check it out to see if it's worth it to send engineers in to extract the fuel. Since there is really nothing there for the Covenant to use the ONI spooks think they would have moved on. Meaning there should be no enemy contact."
"Key word there is 'should'," Hotshot said. "Loadout?"
"Standard light loadout," Stevens explained. "Going light on the ammo and that means you won't have your mortar Jones. Instead you'll be Fox's assistant gunner carry most of the ammo for her LMG and the launcher. Monkey you're Hotshot's spotter, Zimmerman you've got the radio and stick with Raptor and Ghost. Hawk you're with me, remember your battle buddy in case we get split up. Assault packs loaded with water, rations, extra shirts, socks, and wet weather gear."
"Support if shit goes to hell?" Ghost asked.
"We have a battery of the 23rd artillery regiment assigned to us," Stevens said. "So I hope Zimmerman remembers how call in a fire mission." Everyone turned to look at Zimmerman who held up his hands.
"I remember, I remember," Zimmerman reassured.
"Enjoy the rest of your morning," Stevens said getting to his feet. "I have to go receive another brief from the spooks. Be suited up and ready to step off no later than 1100."
"Will do Jack," Hotshot said for the table as Stevens walked away. Fox who hadn't said a word got up having finished her food and walked away giving Vilan another glare. Vilan watched her go wishing he could say something, anything to make it better. Zimmerman got to his feet as did Vilan and were about to walk away when Hotshot spoke.
"Jones stay for a minute I would like to speak with out," He said glancing at Hawk and Ghost who immediately got up and left. Vilan sat back down and Zimmerman was about to not understanding but Raptor got to her feet.
"Zimmerman I could use some help moving some creates of medical supplies I just got in," Raptor said her voice smooth as silk. Zimmerman looked at Raptor then at Vilan the look on his face saying he didn't want to leave his friend to do manual labor. "I would really appreciate it and would owe you one." She said with a devilish smile. Zimmerman flushed slight at he got to his feet again.
"Alright lets go," Zimmerman said with a heavy sigh to hide the fact he was blushing.
"I still out rank you," Raptor said lightly shoving Zimmerman as they walk out of the mess hall. "I could make this an order instead of a favor."
"I myself have a lot of work to do so I've got to go as well," Monkey said innocently as he got up and walked away himself. Hotshot meanwhile moved so he was seating across from Vilan and lowered his voice.
"Alright no bullshit what's the deal with you and Fox?" Hotshot asked. "I mean I haven't seen her look at anyone like that since her ex-husband."
"She has a mate?" Vilan asked truly surprised.
"Had," Hotshot explained. "Good old case of CIDS. Corps induced divorce syndrome. Her husband cheated on her during her first tour she's been bitter every since...Goddamn it stop distracting me."
"I apologize," Vilan said respectfully.
"Relax," Hotshot explained. "Just screwing with you. Now I want to know what happened between you two. I have never seen her try to kill anyone with a look since her ex but I also haven't seen her stick her neck out for anyone since her ex."
"I cannot speak of it," Vilan explained. "She made it extremely clear I could not." A evil smile came to Hotshot lips.
"You've played poker with me so you know I can bluff," Hotshot explained crossing his arms. "I'll just simply say you did tell me even if you don't and she'll beat you anyway. Or you could tell me and I won't tell her." Vilan stared at Hotshot unsure of what to do until Hotshot raised an eyebrow.
"My first day in the unit when we were still on the ship," Vilan explained lowering his voice so Hotshot had to lean in to hear. "I went to take a shower but I didn't understand the symbols on the doors. I choose the wrong one."
"No," Hotshot said with a chuckle. "You walked in on her in the shower?"
"Not exactly," Vilan explained his face flushing. "More she saw me as I left. I was disrobed as was she."
"No," Hotshot said laughing. "That's just fucking awesome. So what are you go to do now?"
"In regards to what?" Vilan asked.
"Fox," Hotshot said with a small chuckle. "It's obvious she's into you, must have liked what she saw huh?"
"I believe it is the opposite," Vilan said.
"That's just an act," Hotshot explained.
"Are you sure?" Vilan asked.
"Trust me," Hotshot said getting to his feet. "You should try talking to her. But only after the mission usually killing some gas suckers and buzzards puts her in a better mood." Vilan watched him go thinking about what he had said for a few minutes before he got to his feet as well. A few hours later after a official mission brief from Lieutenant Armstrong and a trip to the armory Vilan found himself loaded down with gear. He was in full battle rattle with full assault pack and 200 rounds for his assault rifle. Then he had several belts of ammo for Fox's LMG stuffed into his pack and a M41 launcher across his back. The squad found themselves riding in the back of a Pelican listening to Monkey's extremely old music after he won a game of rock, paper, scissors against Hotshot.
"How do you listen to this crap?" Hotshot demanded as he adjusted the bipod on his rather long rifle.
"It's classic," Monkey explained as he tapped his foot in time with the music.
"What fuck is a bayou?" Hotshot demanded. "And why was he born on one? And what the hell is a Cajun queen?"
"Alright tighten up," Stevens said. "Two minutes till touchdown." Magazines were pulled out of pouches and shoved into weapons as bolts were locked forward. "Easy mission." Stevens said. "So let's do it right and get back to base in time for dinner chow."
"No such thing as an easy mission for rangers Jack," Ghost said.
"Amen," The rest of the rangers said in unison expect for Zimmerman and Vilan. They were jolted in their seats as the Pelican touched down a second later the ramp dropped. The squad rushed out laying down in the knee high grass with shouldered weapons. The Pelican flew off leaving the nine marines stranded.
"Alright wedge formation," Stevens said. "Zimmerman stay by my side for now." The Pelican had dropped them off in an open grassy field and the marines quickly spread out forming a wedge with Steven and Zimmerman behind it in the center. They started the rather long march bending the grass down with each step of their boots. They marched the ten clicks in silence and without incident sweat on all of their foreheads. Once they got into sight of the town Stevens had them drop.
"Hotshot, Monkey move up and see what you can see," Stevens ordered.
"Roger," Monkey said as he and Hotshot crawled through the grass. They crawled a short distance to a better vantage point where Hotshot set up his rifle and peered through the scope. The rest of the squad was left laying in the grass, sweat dripping from their faces waiting on Hotshot's report. Vilan lay next to Fox since he had most of her ammo and took a drink of his canteen the cool water feeling amazing as it flowed down his dry throat. He then looked over to Fox to see her unending her canteen trying to get just a little more water out of it. She had drank more on the march there due to the heavy machinegun she carried.
"Fox," Vilan said extending his half full canteen towards her. She gave him another death glare before she snatched from his hand and finished it off.
"Thanks," She mumbled when she handed it back to him empty.
"Do not mention it," Vilan said as he placed the canteen back on his belt.
"Alright Jack," Hotshot said via radio. "The town looks abandoned, no civilians or Covenant looks like a free lunch."
"Understood," Stevens said as he got to his feet. He reached out and took the handset from the radio that Zimmerman wore on his back. "Command this Sidewinder we have reached objective and proceeding to recon on foot. Over."
"Understood Sidewinder," The voice on the radio said. "Proceed with the mission. Out." Stevens hung up the handset back onto Zimmerman's radio.
"Alright wedge let's move," Stevens said everyone else getting to their feet. They reached the town shortly afterwards. To call it a town was an over statement it was just a refinery that a few basic stores and business had sprung up around with a single diner. There were houses for the workers and their families both shifts and streets to connect everything. They reached the refinery where they finally stopped just inside the gates unsure of what to do next. Stevens whistled sharply before pointing at Hotshot and Monkey then pointed at high platform that went around one of tall smoke stacks. Monkey and Hotshot nodded just before they started climbing the ladder to reach the platform.
"Zimmerman, Raptor, Ghost check out the main office," Stevens ordered. "Hawk and I are going to check the storage tanks. Fox and Jones stay here and cover the main gate." With that everyone went to complete their tasks. That left Fox and Vilan standing behind a cluster of 55 gallon drums. Fox had her LMG's bipod on the drums, stock pressed into her shoulder as Vilan aimed his rifle loosely at gate. It was going to be an awkward silence till Vilan spoke.
"I truly sorry," Vilan said.
"What?" Fox asked.
"My first day here," Vilan explained. "When...will you remember. It was truly a mistake. I did not know much of human culture, I still do not. All I really knew was entirely male warrior training. I was unfamiliar with the symbols on the doors. It really was a mistake."
"Oh," Fox said. "I thought you were just another private straight out of basic trying to get off."
"Off of what?" Vilan asked confused.
"Never mind," Fox said her face reddening ever so slightly. Vilan was still confused but didn't want to undo any progress the two had made in the last moment. They were saved from another long moment of awkward silence by Hotshot who spoke to them all via radio.
"Hey Jack we have an enemy patrol about 5 clicks out heading our way," He reported his voice a little too calm and a little too icy. "Five Elites, roughly 10 to 13 Jackals and 20 to 25 Grunts. Marching in standard two column formation, my guess is they'll hit main street in 20 mikes. Please advise over."
"Hotshot, Monkey hold your current position," Stevens ordered over the radio. "Everyone else regroup at the main gate near Fox and Jones. Out."
"Roger," Ghost said on behalf of his team over the radio. After a few moments all the rangers, expect Hotshot and Monkey, were near the barrels Fox and Vilan had been using as a barricade. Stevens had been hard at work using a piece of white chalk to draw on top of one of the barrels.
"Alright," He said once he had finished as he keyed his radio so Hotshot and Monkey could hear as well. "Standard four sided complex ambush." Stevens explained pointing at the drawing where there were large squares that represented building, Xs that represented the rangers and Os that stood for the Covenant. "Since they'll be walking down main street most likely heading for the refinery Hotshot and Monkey will be the front side of the death box. On my order Hotshot will take out the Elites and start the ambush. Ghost, Zimmerman and Raptor will be in the diner while Hawk and I will be in the bank across the street. We will be on the left and right of the death box. We'll be close so before you start to fire everyone throw at least one grenade understood?"
"You got it," Raptor said.
"Alright," Stevens said pleased. "Jones and Fox will be in the fuel station at the edge of the town." Stevens said pointed to a square drawn in white chalk with FS on it. "You are to let the enemy patrol pass your position. Then once they are pass you move out and take up a position behind the vehicle here." Stevens pointed to a small square that was close to the fuel station but more in the middle of main street. "Once Hotshot takes out the Elites, Fox go full auto with the LMG don't give them anywhere to go but in the middle of the death box. Remember all positions stay hidden and don't fire till after Hotshot takes out the Elites. Any questions?"
"Yeah," Hawk said. "How come we don't just call in a fire mission on them before they even get to the town?"
"A valid point," Stevens said. "But they are marching through an open field so they could spread out very quickly and it would become very wasteful to use a 155mm shell to kill a single Grunt. Then before we do kill them all they could call for reinforcements or air support and then we'd have a real fight on our hands."
"Fair enough," Hawk said.
"Any other questions?" Stevens asked.
"Yeah I've got one," Monkey said via radio. "What the hell am I supposed to do all the way up here?"
"Spot for Hotshot," Stevens explained. "Also if the shit really hits the fan you'll need to sight them in for a strike and relay the coordinates to Zimmerman for a fire mission. Alright you know what you supposed to do ETA of enemy patrol is 14 mikes I want everyone in position in eight. Let's move." Fox picked up her LMG and started to jog down main street with Vilan right behind her carrying the extra ammo on his back. They were only halfway down the street when Stevens, Hawk, Raptor, Ghost and Zimmerman were already in their positions. They made it to fuel station, ran past the fuel pumps and made it inside of the convenience store. They quickly moved behind the counter and couched down Vilan having to kneel due to his height.
"This is Fox we're set over," She said into her helmet mike.
"Roger that," Stevens said over the radio. "Patrol is still about 6 mikes out so hold tight. Only move once they are past your position. Over."
"Will do out," Fox said and then turned to give Vilan a thumbs up and a genuine simile. Vilan returned the thumbs up(the best he could) and even twisted his mandibles into a grin. Fox was happy that she was about to fuck up some poor Covenant bastard's day while Vilan was just happy that she wasn't glaring at him. Fox reach up and pulled a candy bar from one of the shelves that were behind the counter. She opened it and started to eat when she saw that Vilan was staring at her. "You want one?" She asked.
"No thank you," Vilan said. Fox shrugged and went back to eating the candy bar. Vilan watch her eat for a few more moments as he tried to think of something to say to her. On his home planet he had heard while he was in school that finding and getting the attention of a mate was both difficult and confusing. He had never been brave enough to try since he was always looked down on as a half breed being part human. Then no one had taught him how to impress a human female and he really wish he knew more of human culture then basic training and that one brief encounter with the two female marines.
"Fox," Vilan said after he thought he had something worked out. She turned and looked at Vilan expectantly her hazel eyes meeting his blue(a gift from his father) and he found himself unable to speak. He was saved by Sergeant Stevens who spoke to them over the radio.
"Jones, Fox enemy patrol nearing your position," Stevens said. "Monkey will advise when you're clear to move to second position. Maintain radio silence but acknowledge over." Fox reached up and keyed her radio twice in quick succession to let Stevens know she had heard him. "Roger that." Stevens said after she did that. "Hunker down till they pass out." Vilan and Fox ducked down completely behind the counter just as they could hear feet marching on pavement. As they got closer they could hear equipment swinging and rattling on harnesses. They could also hear the deep breathing the Grunts did in order to pull the methane from their tanks along with the crippling the Jackals made. The sounds got louder and soon the two hiding rangers could see their shadows play across the back shelves of the store as they walked by it. Vilan's heart was beating in his chest, not that he was scared but excited that he would soon be killing more of the enemy that had killed his father. Soon no more shadows passed and the noise slowly started to fade as they got farther away. Then once they couldn't hear them anymore did Vilan and Fox peek over the counter.
"Alright," Monkey said in both their ears via radio. "You're clear to move to second position but keep you heads down and move silently over." Fox keyed her radio twice again to let Monkey know she understood. She then picked up the LMG and moved out from behind the counter and made her way over to the door Vilan right behind her. She slowly pulled open the door and stuck her head out to check on the enemy's location. She then stepped out and motioned to Vilan to follow and two walked out onto main street. They jogged in a half crouch to the vehicle which was a car parked at an odd angle clearly left in a hurry. As Vilan jogged carefully so his boots didn't make much noise he couldn't help but think of the night he and Zimmerman went after Decker. They reached the car and Fox set the LMG up on the hood pointing to Vilan and then lightly tapping the feed tray the sign for ammo. Vilan nodded, opened his pack, pulled out a belt and linked it to the end of the one that was already in Fox's LMG.
That complete he jogged to the other end of the car resting his assault rifle on the trunk. He then took two magazines from their pouches on his vest and placed them on the trunk as well so he could reload in a hurry. Vilan flipped his rifle from safe to auto and took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He eyed the enemy patrol carefully his own kind easy to pick out as they marched. Hotshot had been right there were five Elites two marching in front, one in the middle and the least two at the rear of the formation. Seeing them march, shoulders rolled back and heads held high filled Vilan with a dull rage. One that if it hadn't been for the discipline he had received in basic would have caused him to charge at them with a roar. Instead he took solace in the fact that very soon they would all be dead and they didn't even know it.
"Alright Fox and Jones in position," Monkey said via the radio they were all able to hear him but he was speaking to Stevens. "We're all cocked, locked and ready to rock over."
"Understood," Stevens said. "Let them just get a little closer then we'll nail the coffin shut. Over." Vilan counted ten of his heartbeats and then on the 11th the middle of the enemy formation had reached the diner and bank. Stevens spoke again. "Now Hotshot."
"Alright kids pay attention and watch daddy work," Hotshot said in that icy voice of his that had replaced his normally upbeat and sarcastic one. The front Elite's head suddenly exploded, purple blood and brain exploding out the back. Before the blood had even hit the ground the second front Elite's head snapped back blood spraying from it as well. The sound of the first shot was just starting to echo around the buildings when the middle Elite's head blossomed blood followed very quickly by the last two Elites in the rear. The first Elite's body was still falling to the ground hadn't even made it halfway and all the Elites were already dead. Hotshot's speed and accuracy were truly impressive. He was able to get five shots off without reloading for he already had a round in the chamber and then a full four round magazine. The bodies of the Elites were still falling leaving the Grunts and Jackals looking around confused when Fox opened up with the LMG.
Rounds slammed into the Grunts' and Jackals' backs and Fox gritted her teeth fighting to keep the machinegun on target. Vilan had opened up as well firing only aiming loosely at the whole of the enemy formation. Not having the ammo capacity of Fox's LMG Vilan's bolt locked back on an empty magazine. He dropped it, grabbed one from the trunk of the car, shoved it home and rode the bolt fired to resume firing. Meanwhile Fox had not let up at all as she swung the barrel in short arcs to cover them all with a hail of bullets. The surviving enemy troops had just started to turn to face Fox and Vilan firing a few wild shots into the air. That's when the five grenades that were thrown by Steven's, Hawk, Raptor, Ghost and Zimmerman went off. Though doubtful anything could have survived that the five rangers poured fire where the enemy formation had been.
"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Stevens shouted over the radio a second later. Vilan immediately stopped firing but Fox still went hero on the LMG unable to hear her radio. Vilan ran over and slapped her on the shoulder and she stopped firing then being the last one to do so. Smoke lazily rolled out and off the end of the barrel and the tip had a slight glow to it. Vilan and Fox both stared down the street at the cloud of smoke that was caused by the grenades and rounds hitting the concrete that had formed where the enemy had been. When it finally settled all they could see was Covenant bodies, blood and body parts. "Good work everyone." Stevens said over the radio. "Regroup at the refinery and-"
INCOMING 6 O'CLOCK HIGH!" Hotshot suddenly shouted Vilan able to hear him through the radio and his voice even from his far away position. Vilan's head whipped around and he was able to see the Banshee that was screaming toward him and Fox. He was able to see the green blob of energy spit from the front of it and reacted faster than any human could. He grabbed Fox picking her up by the waist as he sprinted forward into a nearby alleyway in-between two buildings. They had just made it to the alley when the car they had been taking cover behind exploded in a ball of fire and metal. A second later the Banshee screamed over their heads and Vilan placed Fox on the ground. He pulled the launcher from his back and armed it just like they had taught him in basic training before running back out onto main street. Fox who was still a little dazed could only sit and watch him.
Vilan made it to the middle of the street, shouldered the launcher, pressed his eyes up to the scope and scanned from the Banshee. He found it buzzing around the refinery firing at the smoke stacks trying to find and nail Hotshot and Monkey. He put the sight on the Banshee, pulled and held the first trigger as he tracked the Banshee. A moment later the sight turned red, yellow triangles appeared around the Banshee and Vilan could hear a shrill tone.
"BACK BLAST AERA CLEAR!" Vilan shouted just before he depressed the second trigger. The launcher kicked hard against his shoulder as the rocket exploded from the end of the tube and had he been a human he would have been knocked on his ass. He remained on his feet but he was rocked back on his heels the rocket had already closed half the distance to the Banshee. Vilan had just lowed the launcher from his shoulder so he could see when the rocket slammed into the Banshee as it tried to avoid the rocket. The enemy craft was turned into a fireball and falling debris that was sprinkled over the refinery. There was no time to celebrate for Hotshot spoke again.
"We have three Phantoms closing in on our location at flank speed," Hotshot reported. "I think they're going to try and flank us." Vilan turned and could see the three Phantoms flying in a loose wedge. He re-shouldered the launcher and took aim at the lead one when Fox slapped him on the shoulder and with her other hand shoved the end of the tube.
"You won't be able to destroy one of those with just a single rocket," Fox explained as she pulled Vilan back towards the alley. "And that's the only rocket we got left." Vilan was about to apologize when Hotshot gave an update.
"Looks like one is going to set down near the fuel station, one is going on the west end and the other one the south end of town," Hotshot reported. Vilan and Fox were able to see one of the Phantoms slow down and lower itself getting ready to deploy its troops.
"Fox, Jones take the one by you," Stevens ordered speaking quickly. "Ghost your team take the one on the south. Hawk and I well take the last one, Hotshot help whoever needs it lets move people counter their counter attack." Vilan's and Fox's Phantom had just opened its side hatches to deploy its troops after Stevens had finished talking.
"Now fire into the troop compartment!" Fox shouted. Vilan reacted quickly snapping up the launcher and firing the second and last rocket. A pair of Grunts were the only ones that were able to make it out of the troop compartment before the rocket slammed into it and explode. When it did not only did it kill all the Covenant troops inside but damaged internal systems of the Phantom. Secondary explosion blossomed out of the open side hatches and then out of the hull itself as the Phantom rocked in the air. The enemy craft loss propulsion suddenly and fell to the ground crushing the two Grunts who had been spared from the rocket. More explosions ripped the hull apart as the entire craft started to burn.
"Good fucking job," Fox said actually impressed.
"Thank you," Vilan said slinging the empty launcher across his back again. The two rangers heard more assault fire, grenades going off and finally the crack of Hotshot's sniper. Fox was about to radio Stevens to see where they were needed when it all stopped at once a eerie quiet settling over the town.
"Sound off over," Stevens ordered over the radio. Fox keyed her radio.
"Fox and Jones both up," Fox explained. "All our tangos are down over."
"Monkey and Hotshot up," Monkey reported. "All tangos down on the west side over."
"Roger that," Stevens said. "Thanks for that were up over." There was silence then as they waited for Ghost's team to check in but they didn't. "Ghost you have a copy over." Still nothing but silence as Vilan started to have a bad feeling grow in his chest. "Ghost come in damn it! Over."
"I'm here over," It was Raptor who had spoken.
"What's wrong? Report over," Stevens ordered already being able to tell that something was wrong.
"I'm pinned down," Raptor explained. "Zimmerman's wounded and he's being held hostage with Ghost by a couple of Elites over."
"Where are you? Over," Stevens demanded.
"Near a laundromat on the north side of town over," Raptor said her voice becoming frantic as the other rangers could hear plasma fire and the roar of an Elite over the radio.
"Just hang on we're moving to your position now out," Stevens said not realizing that Vilan had already taken off heading towards Raptor and his wounded friend. He moved at an all out sprint that was far faster than any human could match. He was the first to make it to Raptor and saw her standing beside the door of the laundromat plasma fire flying out of the door making it impossible for her to return fire. He could also see the dead Covenant bodies that littered the parking lot as he ran up and stood next to Raptor.
"Sit rep!" Vilan demanded his voice cold.
"Two Elites have got Ghost and Zimmerman inside and say if we come after them they'll kill them," Raptor said grimly as more plasma fire flew out the door. Vilan looked around wildly trying to come up with an idea when he saw the body of a dead Elite. Vilan ran over to him and picked up his fallen plasma rifle before running back to Raptor the other rangers still nowhere in sight.
"Alright," Vilan said in a voice Raptor was just able to hear. "When I fire this weapon I want you to scream as if you are in pain and then drop your rifle in front of the door."
"What?" Raptor asked.
"Just trust me," Vilan said. "And no matter what happens you stay on the outside. Ready?"
"Yes," Raptor said but was still confused.
"Good," Vilan said just before he fired the plasma rifle at the wall next to Raptor. She reacted beautifully as she gave a yell of convincing pain as she tossed her rifle so it chattered to the ground in front of the opened laundromat door. The plasma fire that had been coming from the door suddenly stopped. "Filthy human." Vilan said loudly in his native tongue but not too loudly.
"Who goes there?" A deep voice from inside the building demanded in Sangheili. "Name and unit."
"Minor Kalmare of the 432nd Shock Legion," Vilan lied using his middle name as his last and the unit of Elite he had taken the weapon from. "Come out bothers it is safe the humans are dispatched."
"All of them?" The voice asked.
"Correct," Vilan lied flicking his eyes to Raptor who's eyes widen in understanding as her helmet's translator worked.
"You are a noble warrior Kalmare," The voice said. "However as field marshal I ordered who to come in here. We still have two humans to take care of."
"Yes of course excellently," Vilan said before he took a deep breath and walked into the building. Raptor who had heard and understood the whole conversation due to her translator went out to grab Vilan but she was too slow. Vilan walked into the building and took the sight in quickly. Standing in front of the door was a red clad major Elite and a gold clad field marshal. Behind them on the floor behind a line of washers were Ghost and Zimmerman. Ghost held a dressing to Zimmerman's arm from which blood was slowly starting to soak through. Upon hearing Vilan enter the two Elites turned to face him and both of their features changed to confusion.
"What are you wearing Kalmare?" The field marshal asked. Vilan didn't answer he just aimed the plasma rifle that was in his right hand at him while he aimed his assault rifle in his left at the major. A heartbeat later he opened fire with both weapons at the same time hitting the field marshal with blue fire as he hosed the major with full auto fire from his assault rifle. Both Elites' faces changed to one of shock as they tried to react but just as they did their shields over loaded and went dead. Vilan continued to fire until his rifle went dry and the plasma rifle cycled trying to cool itself as it over heated. Vilan dropped the overheated weapon onto the corpse of the field marshal before he reloaded his rifle. He then walked over and helped Zimmerman and Ghost to their feet and out of the building. Raptor quickly took Zimmerman and started treatment of his wound. It was just a nasty graze from a plasma bolt and would be fully healed in a week.
The rest of the rangers had made it over there by then just in time to see Vilan emerge from the building caring both Ghost and Zimmerman. Raptor had filled them in on Vilan's plan and that was why they hadn't gone in after him. Zimmerman was soon on his feet and ready to fight again by the time the Pelican showed up. Since there was both fuel in the refinery's tanks and they had wounded command sent in a bird to pick them up as it dropped off engineers to drain the tanks. The ride back to the FOB was in silence, not even Monkey's radio played, with how chose they had came to losing two rangers.