Chief took his helmet off as they entered the mayors office, turning to look at his fellow Spartans as they did the same, "first, how did you two get here?" Chief questioned, looking to Jorge first.
"Been here for about five years now." Jorge said, "slipspace bomb that took out that covenant flagship brought me here, crash landed in Menagerie; when I took care of any Covie weapons and tech that may have ended in the wrong hands I stuck around, even got married...came this way when I heard about a Green Armored giant running amok in Vale, scaring students and giving life changing pep talks;knew it had to be you."
Chief gave a dry chuckle at that, then looked at Kaz.
Kaz sighed, "im technically the reason these Covenant are here." He says, "blew a slipspace bomb in the middle of their fleet, their ship and mine were brought here, guess they faired better on the crash landing then I did."
"What about you chief?" Jorge asks, "how'd you get here."
"Im assuming it has something to do with that final battle at the Ark?" Kaz adds, sparing Jorge a look, "chief here disappeared in the midst of the tbe battle, reportedly blew up what amounted to an enemy planet and disappeared, MIA."
"Youre mostly right." Chief agreed, "after I blew the Ark and took care of the flood, the Dawn was in the midst of a slipspace jump when the Shockwave of the explosion tore the sjip in half; i dont know where the other half went, but we ended up in dead space, set adrift. Two years later a slipspave anomaly brought us here."
"Us?" Jorge questions, jumping back when Cortana materializes on Chiefs shoulder.
"Yes, us, about time you introduced me." Cortana says, glaring at chief.
"So this is the famous Cortana. " Kaz whistles, "was always a little jealous that we all didn't get AI."
"Did you find them?" Chief asks her as she crosses her arms.
"Scroll please." Cortana says, prompting Chief to put his scroll onto the desk, where Cortana pulls up a map of Old Post, "ive spent the last hour and a half looking for the Covenant Jammers, and have managed to get a general area for three pylons that are covering this town." She places three circles on the map, each one a few blocks wide, "ive gotten the area down as close as I xan, but can't give you much else at the moment, yellow team also reported seeing structures that sounded like covenant anti-air."
"Communication is patchy at best." Chief explains to the other two Spartans, "we were barely able to relay messages through nearby bullheads, but with the skies clear of any air support, its gonna be a bitch and a half talking with command unless we get rid of those pylons, and if they do have anti-air up then we'll need to take them down before calling in any fast movers."
"So, we Spartans have another mission then?" Jorge asks, making Kaz smile.
"Demolition jobs are always fun." He comments.
"I say we all take a pylon." Chief says, "we go in, clear out any covenant presence in the area, then blow the pylons, soon as those are down we'll be golden."
"We taking any back up?" Kaz asks.
Chief shakes his head, "everyone is needed here to keep the LZ secure, if the Covenant thinks us not being here makes this area vulnerable then they may attempt to mount another attack."
"Pity, those kids out there look like they're handy in a fight. "
"The HIT teams are only clear for Search and Rescue at this time." Chief says, "I'm not putting them in any more danger if necessary."
"Hmmm, lucky them." Kaz drawls, looking at the map, "ill take this pylon here." He says, gesturing to the one farthest from city Square, "since I'm the fastest I should get there quicker."
"If we're choosing targets by speed then I'll get the closest." Jorge says, "was never good with sprints."
"Then this last one is ours, chief." Cortana says as the map disappears, scroll going back into Chiefs utility belt.
"Alert all squads of the mission." Chief says, "have them on high alert while we're out, and make sure you stress that they are to stay put."
"Got it chief." Cortana says as she winks out of existence.
"Let's hit it spartans." Chief says as he puts his helmet on, Kaz and Jorge following suit.
"So, you're married?" Kaz asks Jorge, "what's that like?"
"Quiet." Jorge says as they step out into the courtyard, "least as quiet as you can get with a five year old running underfoot."
"Married and with a child." Kaz whistles, "jorge my friend, you officially did what no spartan has ever dared to dream; you became a civilian."
Jorge chuckled at that, "guess you're right...let's cut the chatter, the sooner we can finish this the sooner we can all go for a pint."
"I can get behind you on that one." Kaz says before taking off.
Chief stopped at the edge of the town square, looking back at the fortifications before stepping onto the dusty street, "all teams, secure the town square," he commanded into his radio, "Rose, you're in charge of the HIT teams, keep the lights on, we'll be back." And with that he took off, head on a swivel as he stepped back into the war he had left so long ago.
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Qrow Branwen had seen many things in his life, things that would make a normal man scream in terror as they gouge their eyes out.
But these aliens were a first for him, they didn't fight like the mindless grimm, but they were more ruthless then any human or faunus he had ever faced, the weapons they carried were also dangerous, disrupting aura and making it harder for the huntsmen to stay in the fight. Currently he and what was left of his hunter team were making their way towards a strange structure set up on the outskirts of town, dodging between destroyed cars and ruins that were once houses.
"Shouldn't we check in with the Chief?" One of the others asked Qrow as they moved, clutching his crossbow/axe with white fingers. "This could be dangerous."
"Calling Chief wouldn't really help at this point." Qrow muttered, holding his scroll up, "comms are down."
"Makes sense." The other member of their three man party muttered,leaninf heavily on his hardlight rifle, blood trickling from a jagged wound on his leg,"these things have been fucking with comms since the beginning."
"So these things may be how they're doing it." Qrow said, "if we can take them down we may have a chance to call in for some real reinforcements." He took cover behind what was once a brick firehouse, now only a ruined tower and a slab of crumbling wall, "let's take a rest here." Qrow says, and the two hunters sit down gratefully; the one with the hardlight rifle checking on a large gash on his left leg.
"Qrow, I'm combat ineffective." He muttered, looking at the man, "I'd be a liability at best to you."
"Don't worry about that Gideon." Qrow muttered, "i need all hands for this to work-"
"-why don't we just get out of here!?" The other man whispered fiercely, "do you want to end up like Cole and Diggle?"
"Im trying to prevent innocents from ending up like them." Qrow snapped, "if we don't take out these pylons or whatever the fuck they are, then the entire operation is fucked-"
"-you can say that again." A deep voice rumbled, making all three huntsmen jump to their feet-stumble in some cases- and pointing their weapons at a small group walking towards them.
"Ease up there Qrow." The man in front said, holding up his hands, he was massive, almost clearing seven feet, well muscled with scars crisscrossing on his arms and shoulders, his long blonde hair was tied back in a low ponytail and his bushy beard had specks of purple blood in it, his one blue eye was narrowed at him as he fixed his eyepatch on the other. Dressed in a simple tank top and blue jeans, the only thing that suggested this man was a hunter was the spear on his back.
"Nicholas Arc." Qrow said, relaxing slightly, "what's a retired huntsmen like you doing out here?"
"Got the call for help from Beacon." He says, motioning back to the five people behind him, "me and the crew figured we could lend a hand. Can't let my son have all the fun now can i?"
"You've seen him? Did you see my nieces?" Qrow demanded to know.
"Haven't been able to make it to the LZ." He said with a shake of his head, "but i've heard him over the short wave, sounds like they're all doing fine...better than us at least; we came here with about fifteen, five hunters, ten militia, now we're down to three each."
"We came in with ten." Gideon muttered, "we're all that's left."
"Our bird was shot down coming in." Qrow said, "five died in the crash, another two while we were fighting our way here."
"These things are tenacious, I'll give them that." Nick said, walking forward as he looked towards the pylons that qrow wanted destroyed, "me and my boys are itching for a fight, and if I understood that garbled transmission I got about thirty minutes ago, then my daughter is heading here right now with her hunter team...they have an airship, old pre-war dreadnought, mostly automated these days...but it can take a hit, so we may have some air support." He looks to qrow, "what do you say we get some payback?"
Qrow grinned eyes flashing, "I say you're speaking my language Nick, Gideon, see if you can't get up this tower, provide some sniper fire."
"McCree go with him," Nick commanded one of his men, who was toting a large machine gun, "chop up anything that's not ours."
Qrow nodded to the men around him, "Lets go kick some alien ass."
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Chief would like to say that attacking his pylon was met with no bumps in the road and that he had cleared it without help.
But really he should've known better that some of his students didn't know how to stay put.
"Rose." Chief called as he turned around once more to see petals fluttering towards the ground, creating a zig-zag pattern down the street, "I know you're there, step on out."
"Awww, how'd you know?" Rose asked with a pout, "I was being really sneaky."
"Rose petals don't appear out of nowhere rose, now turn back, go to your post." He said, continuing his walk.
"Nope!" Ruby said as she walked at his side.
"Rose this is way too dangerous for you-"
"-nope!"
Chief felt his eye twitch as he looked at the little red reaper, "so you're just going to ignore my orders?"
"Technically your orders were to put me in charge." She said with a hesitant laugh, "so I put Weiss in charge and gave myself a mission of backing you up."
"She really knows how to work those loopholes," Cortana snickered.
"Rose, if you're going to be helping me, then you'll need to do as I say." He says, scanning the buildings before pointing to a two story one, "get on top of that building and provide sniper cover for me."
"Yes sir chief!" She cheered before zooming away towards the building.
"These kids will be the death of me." Chief muttered as he continued on.
"You gotta admire their sheer tenacity though, and willingness to go against the rules to do what they think is right. Reminds me of someone else I know."
"Stow the talk. And get ready." Chief says as they get closer to the pylon, "Rose, anything out there?"
"I'm seeing a few teams of grunts patrolling between the uh...tower fort...thingies."
"Pylons," chief corrected, "how many of them are there."
"Four, one in the center, three around it...wow those are big guns."
"That's anti-air, we'll need to take those out before we destroy the pylon. What's the defenses look like."
"Several squads of grunts, I'm seeing jackal snipers but they're not even scanning the area, and the big brutes are...oh no…"
"What is it rose?" Chief asked.
"There's...they have hostages. I'm seeing eight militia members, and...Atlesian soldiers?."
Chief closed his eyes, he hadn't thought there would be hostages, it went against Covenant doctrine. He was also confused about why Atlesians would be here if Ironwood had refused to send help, "Rose, how many brutes are around them."
"Five...no six, ones bigger than the others."
"A chieftain most likely...rose, what I want you to do is when I give the signal, drop that chieftain, then focus on the snipers, I'll take care of the others.
"Yes sir."
Chief slowly reached into his pack, pulling out some red dust crystals that were hooked to remote detonators. With speed that spoke of years of training. He snuck into the first AA gun, setting three of the crystals inside the power supply before moving on. Slowly he set the charges in the other two AA guns before getting into position by the pylon, rifle out.
One of the prisoners saw him and gasped, catching the attention of the brute chieftain.
"Scared little human?" The brute sneered. Making the armor covered man looked up.
"Of your breath maybe." He sassed with a grin, "seriously, you guys ever hear of toothpaste?"
The brute snarled and snatched the man up, knocking his helmet off and revealing the familiar face of Mendez.
"You dare insult me? I can grind your bones into dust with two fingers!"
""Oh yeah? So could a dedicated duck. You're nothing special gorilla." He choked out. Glaring at the alien as it pulled a jagged knife.
"I think we can make do without this bothersome whelp." He snarled to his brothers, who roared their approval, ready to see blood after having been denied the chance to attack the humans, "any last words filth?"
Mendez spat into the chieftains face, "fuck you, you Montreal piece of shit." He got out, as the brute raised the knife.
Mendez let out a gasp as the Brutes head suddenly exploded into a purple mist, falling sideways with the carcass as the other brutes roared.
Suddenly chief was in their midst, rifle unleashing a steady staccato of lead upon the covenant forces as the Jackals began to fall dead.
"Get stuck in it!" One of the Militia members shouted, he and three others tackling a nearby Brute as the others rushed the already dead enemies, grabbing their weapons and firing at the few still alive.
Mendez gasped for air as he pulled himself away from the dead brute, "son of a bitch." He groaned, picking up a needler and firing at a grunt. His teammate likewise returned fire on a brute.
"Mendez." Chief called out, "gather everyone up and head south east!"
"What about you!?"
"I have to blow the pylons."
"I have four satchels full of explosives inside that pylon, stupid apes didn't think to store them away from the important shit." He grinned as they all began to fall back, "have fun with that."
Chief quickly ran to the pylon, pulling the detonator out of his pocket and triggering the bombs he had placed in the AA guns. All of them went up in a miraculous explosion as he entered the pylon, throwing his last dust crystal onto a pile of human weapons that must have belonged to Mendez and the militia members, then he took off running as he triggered the detonator.
The explosion shook the ground as the last of the human forces ducked for cover. Mendez and chief being the only two still standing.
"Thought my bacon was fried back there." Mendez muttered as he watched the flames rise into the sky. "Thanks for the save chief."
"What are you doing here Mendez?" Chief asked, looking at the young man who smiled ruefully.
"We heard the call go out for assistance here. Then got orders to stand down as we neared the area, I'm not one for leaving people to die, so I ignored it. Got captured with these militia guys and was thinking we were dead till you got here." He looked to chief, "there were two more of these-"
"-they're being taken care of as we speak." Chief said stoically as he hit his radio, "Rose, get down here."
"Ruby's here?" Mendez asked, suddenly blushing slightly as he turned around to watch the teen jump down from her perch.
"Mendez!" Ruby cheered, bowling him over with a flying hug, "hi." She said cutely.
"Hey." He greeted.
"Stow the PDA you two." Chief ordered as he turned on his long range transceiver, "this is Sierra 117 to any Valesian forces, come in." He waited a moment, before a slightly staticky reply came.
"Sierra 117 this is Captain Aurora Arc with the VAS Caddy we read you loud and clear, what's the situation down there?"
The men around him cheered as chief began to speak again.
"Covenant forces have deployed radio jammers in an attempt to keep our communication limited. I currently have two other teams attacking the remaining pylons, when they're down we'll need fast movers to clear out the last of the covenant."
"Roger that Sierra 117, we are fifteen mikes out. Make sure any anti-air placements are neutralized, I'd hate to get a headache."
"Roger that, Sierra 117 out." Chief switched channels, "Jorge, Kaz, sit-rep."
"This is Jorge! I've got the pylon down and working on the AA guns now, give me a few minutes and I'll be clear."
"Copy that, Kaz, status."
"I'm in a bit of a pickle chief, enemy has wraiths and ghosts on my position."
"Sit tight Kaz, I'm moving to your location." Chief turned off his radio and turned to Ruby, "Rose, I want you to lead these men to the LZ."
"But we can help-" Ruby started to argue.
"This is not up for debate." He said firmly, "these men are injured, and right now need your help more than I do. Prioritize lives over destroying the pylons.
"I...okay chief." She said, putting her scythe up as she began walking, "follow me!"
"Thanks again Chief." Mendez said, giving him a salute before running off to Ruby's side, sticking close to her as they all went down the street.
"Let's get to Kaz." Chief said.
"You do realize we could have used the extra hands?" Cortana asked as he took off at a sprint.
"I won't lose anyone else." Chief said, "not today. Not here."
"I guess there is a heart in that tin suit after all."
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Kaz dove behind the legs of the pylon, mounting his now empty rifle on his back as he peaked around the corner, he had taken out one of the wraith using the charges he had brought, and was now facing the last three-as well as two ghosts and infantry-with no ammo. "This was supposed to be an easy op." He muttered as he pulled his Katana from its sheath. He knew the wraith wouldn't use the main cannons for fear of damaging their equipment, but that wouldn't stop the infantry from advancing to finish him off.
The cawing of a crow made him look up, eyes narrowing as the bird dove down towards one of the tanks. "That's not natural
" he said aloud, eyes narrowing as suddenly the bird shifted in mid air and a red cloaked man tore through the tank with a broadsword.
"FOR VALE!" Someone roared as the courtyard was suddenly consumed in chaos, Kaz watched in surprise as a small force of militia members and what Chief had called Huntsmen came charging into the clearing, at their head was a giant of a man who's spear flashed in the sunlight, killing grunts and jackals left and right while his men fired on the tanks, the grunts ran in fear as the brutes charged this new foe, only to be cut down by machine gun fire from a nearby tower.
Kaz charged in, taking out several grunts before another tank exploded and his avian rescuer landed beside him. "You're not chief." He drawled as they ducked behind cover as the last wraith fired on them, the Ghost nothing more than twisted slag at its side.
"Names Kaz." He greeted, "have to admit, you boys are a sight for sore eyes, I was out of ammo when you came along."
Qrow grunted, "we wanted some payback on these freaks." He said watching as Nicholas Arc stepped forward. "You may want to cover your ears.
Kaz watches as this mountain of a man unflinching stares down the barrel of the wraith main cannon, arm and spear posed to throw as he concentrated. Soon the spear was glowing a brilliant white as the man threw it with the force to shatter the ground beneath him. The spear broke the sound barrier as it shot through the tank and an AA cannon behind it. Destroying both and sending a Shockwave through the area.
"You people don't do things by halves." He states as he walks out.
"Gwt these cannons and that pylon ready to blow." Nick ordered the militia members, who saluted and took off, the man held his hand out and the spear shot back into his hand, none the worse for wear.
"Show off." Qrow muttered as he walked over.
"Best way to destroy heavy machinery like this." He said gruffly, leaning against his spear as he looked at the cyborg in front of him, "I'm Nicholas Arc." He greeted.
"Chief petty Officer Kaz 212." He said, "you boys really helped out here."
"It's what we do." Nick said proudly. "Now, let's get this place blown off the map before we get any kind of retaliation."
"Agreed." Kaz said "I'll take up a sniper position in a nearby building and contact you if we have a QRF incoming." He began to make his way to the edge of the clearing,turning on his radio as he went, "chief do you copy? Area has been secured, local huntsmen and militia assaulted the position and are now setting up charges.
"Copy that, I'll be returning to the LZ, stay sharp Kaz."
With a sigh Kaz picks up a covenant Carbine, as well as what ammo he needed for it, "never a dull day." He says as he takes up a snipers position.
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Chief reached the LZ just as explosions went off on the far side of town, signifying the end of the last pylon, "chief, pylons down, we have a QRF coming from the south, I'm seeing wraiths, phantoms, and ghosts along with hunters."
"Fall back to the LZ Kaz." Chief ordered as he looked to Sun, who had taken over the radio, "Wukong, call them in."
"Roger that chief." Sun gave a thumbs up before pulling the receiver to his mouth, "Recovery one to Recovery actual, requesting air support at coordinates 6438952145, -12945632465, heavy enemy armor and infantry units.
"Copy that recovery one, fast movers are on their way. Good to hear from you guys."
Recovery Actual this is VAS Caddy, hold off on those fast movers for a moment, I want to give our guests a proper greeting.
Chief looked up as a rumbling echoed through the sky, watching as a giant ship came cruising into the air space, if he had to compare it to anything he'd compare it to two Iowa class battleships from the 20th century that had been welded together bottom to bottom, two giant tri-turret guns on the bottom slowly moved into firing position, firing off a Salvo in the direction of the pylon, explosive rounds creating an impressive display of firepower as colorful plumes of fire rocketed into the sky. Signifying the destruction of several Covenant vehicles as those around the chief cheered.
The ship fired three more times for good measure before it came to a stop right above the LZ, "Recovery Actual, Welcome wagon is sent, go ahead and send the fast movers in to clean up any stragglers."
"Temper, temper Caddy, fast movers inbound."
Chief nodded his head as the HIT teams came running over, "chief, the bullheads are requesting permission to land." Sun said, "they're bringing in medical and the first battalion of Vale's Marine Corps."
"Get the medical on the ground to help with the wounded, also restart evacuation as soon as possible, Rose, Greene, I want your teams patrolling the area, make sure we don't have any surprises coming our way, the rest of you, help where you can."
"Got it chief." Greene says. Motioning to her improvised team to follow her.
"Weiss, lets go help the medics with the wounded." Blake called.
"Lets go." She agreed as Ren and Uriel followed.
"Togo go back to the tower and keep overwatch" ruby said to the faunus sniper, "Pyrrha and I will scout the town a bit, see what we can."
"I'll tag along." Mendez said, now carrying one of the Militia rifles that had been abandoned. "Need to do something right?"
"Try and call out as many targets as yall can!" Sun called to them as they ran off, "ill relay the locations to command and get them hit!" "Got it!"
"Lets go clear some more landing spots." Yang said to Nora, "that way we can get more birds in here."
"Righty-o!" Nora chirped, following with Sage and a few others following.
Chief watched them all with a small smile, "good kids…" Jorge called as he walked over. Making Chief look up at his old friends, "I can see your influence."
"They're still a bit rough." Chief said, "but I'll definitely take what I can get." He began to walk back to city hall, Jorge at his side, "even if the initial QRF is gone. We may have more coming this way.
"You're right." Jorge agreed, "this was too small a force for it to be all that was there, figure we'll be here another hour or two."
"The military will be." Chief says, "as soon as the wounded are clear, my HIT teams will be called back."
"I'll tag along." Jorge says. "I'm sure Kaz will want to stick around here a little longer."
"You're not wrong." Kaz called out. Walking up to the other two, the Huntsmen who had helped him right behind him, "I need to make sure covvie forces in this area are dust. But I'll definitely be setting a Rendezvous with you two when I'm done."
"You'll know where to find us." He says as he looks at Qrow, "thought you got lost."
"Took a detour." Qrow said with a shrug, looking at the three, "and I thought one of you was enough."
"You must be this Chief I've been hearing about." Nick boomed, walking forward with a jovial smile, holding a hand out to the man, "Nicholas Arc, at your service."
"Arc?" Chief asks as he shakes his hand.
"Yes, my son talks very highly of you. Where is he anyways? Was hoping to talk with him."
"Currently being watched over by Medics." Chief says as Nick's face falls, "he was injured during an attempted rescue of a downed pilot."
Nick looked lost as he let go of Chief's hand.
"He's still alive." Chief reassured him, "and in stable condition, if you want to go speak with the medics-"
"I definitely will." He said gruffly, running a hand through his hair as he looked down, "I knew this would happen if he joined up with Beacon, the boys got spirit...but he is not a warrior."
"Your son saved the lives of his squad." Kaz said pointedly, " and took on a brute chieftain with a broken leg. Had he not done that they would've all died."
Nick looked up, eyes shining proudly, "he's an arc...through and through...chief, could you contact The Caddy? My daughter is its captain and I'm sure she would want to know about this."
"Of course." Chief said as the man moved off to go see his son.
Chief looked around the LZ, watching as the Marines quickly began setting up their own perimeter, medics were escorting the injured to the bullheads as fast movers flew over head, some in dogfights with covenant banshee's. "This is a victory." He says, looking to Qrow and the other Spartans, "the covenant was routed and our casualties were minimal, even Civilian casualties are limited."
"Yeah." Qrow agreed, "I've seen towns like this wiped off the map, the fact that we were able to establish a reaction force and limit deaths is always good."
"Its not done yet." Jorge warned, "the covenant is on this planet now, if we don't destroy all of their forces then we run the risk of an armada coming here."
"Their communication equipment was destroyed, I saw to that myself before we crashed." Kaz said.
"And nothing on Remnant has the power to send a message into deep space. All we have now is to clean up the remains."
"I hope you're right chief...I hope you're right."
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In the end, it took another two hours before the last of the injured and the civilians were evacuated, the covenant had attacked six more times and had stalled progress each time. But now Chief was loading up with his teams, Jorge at his side. Jaune was the only one that wasn't among them, having been medivac'd early with his father and sister.
"Good running with ya chief!" Mathers called, giving the man a salute as the bullhead began to lift off, "tell Sgt. Arc I owe him a round next time I'm in Vale."
"Will do Corporal, stay frosty out here." Chief returned as the hull closed.
The students were all quiet as they made the trip to Vale, most were asleep save for Yellow team, who were staring vacant lyrics at the wall. Schnee herself looked particularly haunted, Greene was talking quietly with Uriel, seemingly comforting the large man as he sobbed. Weiss was absentmindedly tapping a manicured finger on the hilt of her rapier, muttering something to herself. Ren was simply holding Nora to his chest, discolored by the use of his quirk. Only Belladonna looked okay, but the twitching of her ear was a give away. Even Ruby was uncharacteristically subdued, leaning into Mendez who had a comforting arm around her.
"You all did good today." Chief said, making the teens look up at him, "the mission was a success due to your cohesion and work. I'm proud to have had you out there. When we return you will all have the next two weeks off if you need it. I will personally clear it with the professors and will allow you the use of my classroom to catch up on any work that you may miss."
"I don't ever want to see what I saw again." Weiss said shakily,, making her team look at her, "I...I found bodies in the rubble...children...I just…" Sun hopped over and put a comforting arm around her as she sobbed.
"Sadly this won't be the last time you may run into this." Greene said, "especially if you go out to the settlement towns."
"Then we can do what we have to," yang piped up, wincing as Arslan checked over her wounds and rebandaged them, "to make sure it happens less."
"Speaking from experience, that's the best thing you can do." Jorge said, "mitigate the damage and work to prevent such things. But you can't let these deaths, these situations break you."
"You can't save everyone." Chief agreed, "but you can certainly try...team leaders, I want a briefing of everything that happened today, should you have trouble writing the reports then come to me. I can help where I can. " the bullhead came in for a landing, opening up to the sight of more medical personnel and soldiers, waiting to load up on the bullhead as it refueled, "dismissed."
The teams disembarked, team RUST went on their own towards the cafeteria, hungry after their hard day, the remainders of team JNPR went to the infirmary to visit their leader. While most of team ABRN followed RUST save for their leader, who was talking quietly with Yang as they made their way to the dorms. Sun was guiding Weiss the same way, still comforting the girl while Neptune followed behind awkwardly.
Ruby and Mendez walked with Blake, all three moving towards the ferry that would take them to Vale, a few hours still left in the day to at least get some food and take their minds off things, the remainder of Team SSSN followed them.
Chief walked towards Beacon tower, Jorge at his side.
"You really do make a good teacher." Jorge says as they walk.
"It was a crash course at first." Chief said. Slowing slightly as he looks back to the bullhead, "the covenant is back…"
"Yeah, they are." Jorge agreed, sparing a look at his friend, "but this time, it's not our fight. Valesian forces can handle them, and with Kaz helping them they'll definitely get it done sooner rather than later." He put a hand on his shoulder, "the war is over Chief, you heard Kaz yourself; focus on your students, on your own life and live it well, it's what our brothers and sisters in the Spartan program would want."
Chief slowly nodded, "you're right." He took a step away from Jorge, "if you'll excuse me. I have a...meeting to get to."
Jorge chuckled, "yeah, and I need to make a phone call as well. Good luck chief."
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Glynda had been in her room since the communication room had been taken over by Vales Military officers, who had quickly taken control of the situation and began working with the students to get huntsmen and units to Old Post. Ozpin had told her to relax until the HIT teams returned.
But there was only so much one could do when their students and...coworkers were out in a dangerous situation.
A knock at the door made her jump slightly, anxiety clawing at her stomach as she moved to the door, worried why someone would be coming to her quarters without calling ahead first.
She opened the door and let out a slight gasp at seeing Chief standing before her, dressed in a casual button up shirt and jeans, a rose in his hands.
"Chief...what…" she started softly.
"I told you I'd be back to take you to dinner." He said slowly, awkwardly, "I know it's late...and the restaurant is most likely closed...but I convinced the cafeteria to set up a private table for us...if you're agreeable to it." He then presented the flower, looking as if he had forgotten he brought it. "For you." He added quickly.
Gltnda took the small rose and looked at it, "give me a moment to get ready." She said with a smile before closing the door.
Chief let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, "I'd rather be facing the covenant." He muttered.
"No you wouldn't." Cortana said smugly in his earpiece, making Chief grunt, "you like her company and you're socially awkward despite what some people think; just enjoy the night, you deserve it."
Chief sighed and forced his shoulders to intense as the door opened again and Glynda stepped out now dressed in a dark blue summer dress, chief offered his arm and she looped hers around it. "Lead the way chief." Glynda said.
"Call me John." Chief said quietly, making Glynda smile as they began to walk.