0835 Hours, October 23, 2552 (UNSC Military Calendar)

Sol System, Earth, Kenya, Nairobi, Logistical Support Area Makadara

The Covenant was mining for something, Sam and the rest of Nomad knew it. The team was preparing for an environmental reconnaissance mission near the glassed area. ONI and the 10th Shock Troops Battalion were deploying reconnaissance forces to gather ground intelligence. Air and space became limited due to the blackout nest. Only a Wombat got a good snapshot before being shot out of the sky and recovered by a Space Assault Combat Team.

The photo showed what everyone knew. SECNET and HIGHCOM ordered the regional areas to gather any forces and find out what it was the Covenant was looking for. Nomad loaded another Roo up for a long-range reconnaissance patrol alongside 1st Platoon of G Company. Sam and Nomad was point vehicle. ONI and NAVSPECWAR added support elements to help with the patrol.

"Radio check. Sound off fuckers." The Platoon Sergeant said as he checked the radio frequency.

Three combat teams reported their status and ability to perform such tasks to the platoon sergeant. They weren't going to come into direct contact with the enemy. It was simply surveillance and target analysis. Sam replied to the platoon sergeant with approval and it wasn't long till 1st Platoon was given a green light to move out by the company commander.

"Nomad, on point. Fang, Reach, and Tribute follow in a diamond pattern." The platoon commander made sure everyone knew their places in the patrol. "I don't want the Covenant sneaking upon us. If you hear something, say something."

Combat Element Team Nomad 02 linked back up with Combat Element Team Nomad 01 following the insertion into Mombasa. Darrick was replaced by Draven, a Corporal from a Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and served a tour in a Radio Reconnaissance Platoon inside of the 105th. Nomad was happy they didn't get a FAST retard.

Math stared at the people waving at them as they left LSA Makadara. "They seem happy to see us." She looked back at Sam and saw him looking out. "Weird seeing the locals here though."

"Yeah. It's weird." Sam replied as he stared at one of the kids saluting the vehicle.

1st Platoon made their way out of the fortified capital region of Nairobi. It was nice to be outside of the city and away from the people. The UNSC made it their mobile headquarters for Combined Joint Task Force – East African Protectorate. Other assets were spread out across the EAP and running operations around Kenya.

"Draven, how we look on comm?" Sam leaned back from the passenger seat and stared at the kid.

"Doing good. Nothing sketch yet."

"Let me know if something happens kid."

Staring back out the window, Sam studied the environment he'd seen. The rows of refugees and people fleeing Mombasa was moving further into Central Africa. It became the haven for the UEG civilians. Sam and the rest of the 1st Platoon were heading right towards the danger of Mombasa.

Since the arrival of the Brute Fleet, Sol System was under siege by the Covenant. Other areas on Earth were experiencing skirmishes and all-out battles. People fled at any chance they had. The wealthy tried to flee through their priority flights but were shot down by Covenant fighters. Few stayed to fight, not many had the courage.

"Hey, Sam." He turned to look at O as she sat in the back of the Roo. "You hear about that SAB assault on the Mombasa Tether?"

"Yeah, heard they did their job well. They didn't shoot the civvies at least. You hear about the skyhook shit as well?"

"Yep. That'll be in the news and they'll be hailed as the heroes for doing that work."

Sam rolled his eyes and glanced at the driver. "Check it out." He looked at where the driver was pointing and they came across a group of animals.

"What is that? Is that a Moa?"

Sam was about to say the same thing as the Sergeant behind him but kept quiet.

"No, that's an ostrich. It looks like a Moa." Draven said as he stared at it.

"Well, how do you know?" Math looked at Draven then back at the ostrich.

"I'm from Earth. That's an ostrich."

"No shit?"

"No shit. I swear on my private photo's passcode."

Sam smirked under his helmet and looked back at Math. "You should study Earth life Math. After all, your degree in outer colony economics is pretty useless now." She nudged him in the back of the head with an elbow.

"Wait till you see the emus in Australia. Legend has it, Australia tried to curve the overpopulation by using guns and artillery and lost."

O sat up and stared at Draven. "When was that?"

"20th century."

"That really sounds like the time on Reach when they tried to curve the overpopulation of moas and we used Falcons to hunt them. We won that one though, I think." O looked at the ostrich and then at Draven. "Guess we learn from our ancestors."

The combat team sergeant cut the chatter and the rest of 1st Platoon remained on their way to Mombasa. Sam couldn't help but think about the ostrich. Even during something as big as the Human-Covenant War, the ostrich was focused on finding food to survive. It didn't care about the Covenant or Humanity, simply looking to survive.

Like the ostrich, the rest of humanity was looking to survive, and Sam was a piece of the solution. No matter what, it was a fight for survival.