Lt Itami 3rd Person POV
"Despite the language barrier, these soldiers do know what they're doing," Kurokawa admitted as she watched the UNSC medics work on assisting the civilians, Itami watching with her. Itami was silent as he stared at the UNSC medics before he looked at the green goliath who was still assisting the civilians.
Flashback - 30mins Earlier
"What's the UNSC?" Itami questioned as he had no idea of any organisation who went by the name UNSC.
"Son of a bitch." A marine cursed before he shut his mouth as he was sent a glare from the Sergeant before said Sergeant looked at 131 and nodded. As he was only a Staff Sergeant and 131 was an MCPO she held the position of command and as such could give orders to the Marines.
"UNSC stands for United Nations Space Command, which is the military organisation myself the men and women behind me work for." 131 calmly answered before she looked at the Sergeant.
"Get your men to assist the civilians." 131 ordered, earning a nod of acceptance from the Sergeant. Itami and his squad watched on as the Sergeant barked orders to his troops who immediately moved off to help the civilians despite the language barrier.
"In due time I'll tell you more, but right now my team's priority is the civilians," 131 said before she walked off pressing two fingers to the side of her helmet, "Sierra One-Three-One to Last Light Actual…" As 131 walked away the members of the 3rd Recon Force watched on in obvious shock.
Leilei and Rory, Tuka was still in need of clothes, had now exited the vehicle and both were watching the UNSC soldiers out of a feeling of curiosity. But their focus of attention, like most of the JSDF and a few civilians, was the giant green goliath who was currently moving to assist in a civilian family in lifting their overturned carriage.
Leilei simply didn't know what to make of the green goliath. Was it a creature of magic, a person in enchanted armour which altered the wearer's appearance or something entirely else. To the demi-goddess, Rory had immediately grown attracted to the green goliath and not in the romantic sense. While Rory herself was unsure of her newfound interest in the green goliath she made the mental promise to find out more about the goliath in the future.
End Flashback
"What's the plan Lt?" Kuribayashi asked Itami, "do we try to arrest them when this is all over and take them back to base by force or…" Kuribayashi trailed off as Itami's brain began to burn with activity.
'Their men outnumber us twenty-four to twelve,' Itami thought to himself as he rubbed his eyes before he focused on analysing the unknown soldiers, "not only that but we're unsure of their capabilities and what their weapons can do…and there's also the giant.' Itami looked in the direction of the green giant who went by the name 131 who had easily been able to lift the overturned carriage much to the delight and surprise of everyone excusing the UNSC troops.
'She's an unknown anomaly…but…' Itami exited his train of thought as he spotted something out of the corner of his eye.
The JSDF Lieutenant turned his head in time two UNSC troops putting down another corpse next to the slowly growing pile of corpses. Already fifteen bodies, all badly charred by dragon fire, were lain out side by side and a second row was already starting. It didn't take Itami any longer to make his decision.
"Let's assist the UNSC and help anyone that needs assistance." Itami ordered, smiling in relief when his team gave a quick "roger" before they all jogged off to help the civilians and UNSC.
After two hours of work the dead had been gathered together, coming to a total of 150 were counted as dead, 50 were injured and the rest had been lucky enough to get away stock free. Even though most the civilians survived the dragon's attack, members of the third recon team all held depressed moods save for a few. The main thought that ran through the minds of the JSDF members was what would've happened if the jets hadn't arrived.
"Sir." Itami raised his head and shook when he noticed that the speaker was 131, who was now walking up to Itami. He was also quite surprised that the giant could speak perfect Japanese something which had slipped his mind when they first met. The Lt took a quick second to assemble his thoughts before he gave 131 a nod signalling she could continue and that she had his full attention.
"The civilians have requested that they wait until nightfall to hold a funeral for their fallen," 131 explained in a curt tone, "my recommendation is that we leave immediately after we bury the dead. No funeral." Itami was surprised, not by the giant's tone, but by what she had said.
"These people just lost one hundred fifty members of their society and you want them to just move on!" Itami asked incredulously.
"It's the wisest move," 131 pointed out, "the dragon could come back at any moment and if that happens we'll be unprepared." Itami was about to argue before he sighed unable to disagree with the giant's point. Itami looked passed the towering giant that was 131 and focused his attention on the mourning people who were all kneeling next to the corpses of the dead.
"These people witnessed the death of people they've known for years. Elders, men, women and children," Itami yelped as Kuribayashi who'd been listening in on the conversation, leapt forward, "give them the time they need to mourn you heartless-"
"I'm not heartless, I understand their want to mourn," Kuribayashi stopped her rant as she recognised a note of irritation in the giant's tone, "but the longer we stay out in the open the bigger the chance of the dragon coming back or some other hostile force." 131 continued before she eyed Itami.
Itami blinked twice before realising he was getting looks from both 131 and Kuribayashi though for totally different reasons. 'Most of the survivors have lost "Li-" someone today…someone precious…but the longer they stay "Lieu-" out here the bigger the risk of someone getting attacked increases-"ITAMI"' Itami clapped his cheeks as he looked at Kuribayashi who was being held up by the back of her uniform collar by 131. It was rather comical to see the 5,3ft tall soldier being picked up by the 7,7ft tall giant.
"Could you please put her down?" Itami politely asked before had to stifle a chuckle and snort as 131 promptly dropped Kuribayashi, letting JSDF CQC Specialist land on her ass with a decently loud thump.
After Itami finished his little chuckle fest he sighed. "You can leave or stay if you wish but…these people need some time to mourn."
Itami kept his exterior passive even though his interior was panicking in case a fight broke out, despite knowing that 131 was a very restrained and by the books person. It was during the small moment of silence that followed that Itami kept his eyes focused on 131's visor and found himself feeling as if he was being x-rayed. The silenced continued for another few minutes and if he wasn't focused on the giant, though he still had to blink to make sure he hadn't imagined it, her shoulders relaxed.
"Sergeant get half of your men to set a perimeter the rest help the civilians bury the dead," 131 ordered, "Carriers One to Four shut down and relax. We're going to be here a while."
"Third Recon lets help them out with the graves!" Itami ordered before he holstered his rifle and gently grabbed 131's arm, "thank you for understanding." Itami thanked in a hushed tone. 131 looked down at Itami and was silent for a few seconds.
"I know their pain lieutenant." With that 131 walked off to assist in the digging of graves, leaving Itami on his own with more questions on his mind then he would like.
UNSC Last Light Ground Team - JSDF 3rd Recon Team - Civilians
Time: Approximately 21:00 (UNSC)
UNSC 3rd Person POV
The Marines, who weren't on perimeter duty, were calmly standing to the side of the civilians as they silently let them mourn. Unlike her fellow UNSC troops, Sigrun had decided to stand next to the JSDF, hands crossed behind her back, as an act of prayer. Truthfully the Spartan-II didn't know what had compelled her to stand at the front...she just did so.
"*Actual to One-Three-One do you copy.*" Sigrun was glad she had the training not to flinch in shock at the sound of coms bursting with activity. She turned off her outer speakers so she didn't disturb the funeral.
"One-Three-One copies Actual," Sigrun responded as she noticed the Japanese Lieutenant, Itami, turning around to comfort a young girl.
"*Captain wants a word. Patching you through.*" Sigrun didn't bother arguing with the operator as she waited for Yeong to speak.
"*Report Sigrun.*"
"One hundred and fifty civilian casualties, fifty civilians injured, the rest are unharmed." Sigrun began as she looked at the civilians who were all mostly still mourning.
"*What can you tell me about the civilians?*" Yeong asked as Sigrun marched off towards the still offline Pelicans.
"The civilians speak no language I've ever heard before sir, we only managed to communicate with them thanks to a translator from the soldiers protecting them. But captain," Sigrun began stopping Yeong from speaking, "the soldiers…they're not from the same place as the civilians. I'd go so far to assume they're in the same position as us but possibly better off." Sigrun explained as she looked at the three JSDF vehicles.
"*Sigrun I've served as your captain for several years to know that you're planning something,*" Yeong said with a cross of an amused and concerned fatherly tone something which the Spartan-II had grown to appreciate over the years, "*So you might as well get it out.*" Sigrun chuckled in amusement before she looked up at the night sky.
"I'm suggesting Scarlet Team accompanies the soldiers to get a better understanding of what's going on." Sigrun was silent as she listened to the sounds of the civilians praying.
"*Sierra One-One-Eight and One-Two-Two will be with you along with an M-One-Two LAV within thirty minutes as well as Aika…good luck Sigrun.*" The Spartan II was silent as she stared up at the night sky before she fixed the multiple dog tags that hung around her neck.
"We make our own luck sir," Sigrun muttered before she made her way back to the others.
As she walked past Itami and another JSDF soldier she overheard their conversation.
"Kids and old folk with no families. And casualties." The Spartan II stopped in her tracks before she noticed that most of the civilians were packing up excusing those who were injured or had no family. The Spartan II felt her hand curl into a tight fist before she sighed and let her body relax before she walked over to the two soldiers, unmuting her suits external speakers.
"They're leaving them behind?" Sigrun questioned, not needing to answer who she meant by 'them' as it was fairly obvious.
"Unfortunately that's how it is," Itami answered though judging by the tone in his voice he wasn't too pleased with the villagers' decision either and at the same time he understood the decision.
Sigrun was silent before she faced Itami.
"Me and two others will be accompanying you back to your base," Sigrun explained smirking when she noticed the shocked look on Itami's face. She let Itami try and collect his thoughts before she spoke again.
"My CO wants me to get a better understanding of your situation before we explain ours." Sigrun continued, "when we get to your base we'll talk and explain things with your CO." Itami blabbered before he sighed in resignation and swore he heard a snort from the giant of a woman. Sigrun let Itami regain his thoughts before the three soldiers all agreed to watch the civilians continue to pack their things
After a few minutes, the villagers were all waving goodbye as they departed, sending their thanks to the JSDF and UNSC soldiers.
"You know," one of the marines began as he stopped waving, "I know we only really helped at the end but…I'm hoping they make it to safety." The other marines nodded in agreement while Sigrun briefed the Sergeant on the situation.
"Understood Spartan. Stay safe." The sergeant earning a nod from Sigrun, "best promise I'll get. TIME TO GO MARINES!" The Sergeant roared before he and the Marines quickly grabbed their gear and jogged over to the four Pelicans, all the while being watched by the civilians and the Recon Team.
Just as the four Pelicans landed a fifth Pelican flew down from the sky, performing a sharp pit manoeuvre so the back of the Pelican was facing the civilians. Immediately the M12 LAV Warthog was detached from the Pelican, lightly bouncing upon impact with the ground before the Pelicans back door opened before Sierra 118 and 122 or Harry and Matthew, stepped out. Harry, the marksman of Scarlet Team. had come equipped with his modified SRS99-AM Rifle in hand and an M385B DMR strapped to his back and topped it off a standard M6C SOCOM Sidearm strapped to his left thigh. Matthew was Scarlet Teams CQC Expert and carried his trusty M45D Shotgun and while he was a CQC specialist he still carried an M319 Individual Grenade Launcher as a precaution with the addition of several throwing knives being strapped to his waist.
"You forgot your shit." Harry cheerfully commented as he gestured to the Pelican. Sigrun rolled her eyes from underneath her helmet and made her way inside while her teammates sized up the 3rd Recon Team. Said Recon Team all the sudden feeling extra cautious with the arrival of two more giants who, while not as tall as Sigrun, still cast an intimidating figure. Thankfully the silence was broken when Sigrun emerged from the Pelican now carrying an MA37 Assault Rifle in her hands with two M6 Grindelwald/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle (Spartan Laser) on her back and an M69 Magnum strapped to her right thigh.
"Lieutenant Itami meet my teammates. On my right is Sierra One-One-Eight the team's marksman," Harry gave a friendly yet cocky two-finger salute, "and Sierra One-Two-Two the teams CQC specialist." This titbit of information perked Kuribayashi's interest which the Sergeant stowed away for a later time.
"If you don't mind, we'll be joining you on your return to your base of operations."
JSDF: 3rd Recon Team - Scarlet Team - Civilians
Next Day
Time: 0800
3rd POV - Everyone (mainly Scarlet Team)
"So, this is their base," Sigrun muttered to herself as she and her brothers looked out at the base in front of them, alongside the civilians. Sigrun quickly switched off her helmets external speakers before she opened up the private channel between her siblings.
"I'll do the talking if we get to meet the CO," Sigrun explained as Matthew looked for a place to park the Warthog, "Aika what are our objectives?" Sigrun asked the AI as she'd been pestered with questions by the civilians, mainly Rory (who'd managed to hitch a ride on the Warthog), on the way to the base.
"The Captain wants us to get an understanding of what's going on and Lieutenant Jones wants us to see if we can work out an agreement with these soldiers," Aika explained as Sigrun glanced at a few JSDF soldiers who were eyeing her, Matthew and Harry.
"Define agreement Aika," Sigrun requested as she glanced at Rory who was eyeing her and her brothers with an unusual amount of interest.
Lieutenant Ronald Jones, the ONI Spook of the Last Light, also one of the first people who managed to become Sigrun's friend. Despite their friendship, Sigrun knew to be wary of Jones when he was on the job mainly due to the fact he was ruthless and very few things would stop him from completing his mission.
"Lieutenant Jones wants us to find out if we can use the unknown soldiers to see if they have anything we can use to find a way home." Sigrun was silent before nodding in understanding. The three Spartans stood around in silence while the soldiers and civilians watched them.
"They're not very…talkative," Kuribayashi commented earning a chuckle from Sergeant Kurata before he was silenced as one of the giants focused its attention on the 3rd Recon Team.
"They're soldiers Kurata," Kuwahara noted as he analysed the three giants, "by their body language alone I can tell they're ready to fight their way out of here if they deem it necessary." At this several of the 3rd Recon Team instinctively tightened their grips on their firearms with their newfound knowledge.
"Ah, so these are them." The 3rd Recon Team looked to their right before they quickly snapped to attention as Lieutenant General Kōichirō Hazama stepped into the open before he walked up to the three giants. The tallest of the three tilted their head to look down at Hazama who held a professional expression on his face. Hazama eyed the three giants, analysing their armour, weapons and stature before he snapped a salute.
"Lieutenant General Kōichirō Hazama of the JSDF and Commander of the STF." In unison, the three giants returned the salute strengthening the current idea that the three were soldiers.
"I would say it's a pleasure to meet you three but due to the circumstances of your arrival you'll have to understand I am both cautious and have questions for you three." The three giants and Hazama had a stare off before the giant on the right sighed.
"Are we sure it isn't a Monday?"
The UNSC Last Light
Class
Phoenix Class Colony Ship
Crew
Captain Yeong-Seok Lee
Commander A-210, Hector Connors - Commander of the Spartans of the Last Light
Lieutenant Eliza Cornwall - Chief Medical Officer
Dr Sasha Goodwin - Chief Engineer
Lieutenant Ronald Jones - Intelligence Officer
Lieutenant Hayden Monroe - Navigations Officer
Lieutenant Sarah Lowell - Communications Officer
Aika - Ground Operations Director, SMART AI, Ship Director, Scarlet Team Smart AI
Thor - Ariel Operations Director, SMART AI, Ship Director
Armaments
3 22B62 MACs
10 11A2R Naval Coilgun Batteries
24 M42 Archer Missile Pods
40 M800 Rampart Point Defense Guns
22 - 38 Deck Guns
ATAF Missile Turrets
Soldier(s)
5000 Marines
1000 Hellbringers
2000 Army Troops
1000 ODSTs
20 Spartans
Dropships/Transport Ships
600 Human Entry Vehicles
70 D77-TC Pelican Dropships
56 D82-EST Darters
10 D20 Herons
6 D96-TCE Albatross Dropships
Ground Vehicles
170 M12 Warthog LRVs
93 M820 Scorpion MBTs
50 M9 Main Anti-Aircraft Tank
50 XRP12 Combat Support Vehicle
6 M312 Heavy Recovery Vehicle
20 M131 Light Strike Vehicle
10 M400 Artillery System
10 HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System
Aircraft
40 UG-144 Falcon
15 GA-TL1 Longsword
15 F-41 Broadsword
Note: The Last Light is not a canon ship hence why this is a Phoenix Class Colony Ship despite the fact only three of these vessels were ever made