WESTERN MOMBASA

DATA LOG SEARGEANT MAJOR CARL STACKER

TOT ?

The pelican glided along the corrugated rooftops in the African sun, the ship Shadow of Reach was high above them busy like a hornet's nest, pelican and long sword alike entered its many cargo bays and launch stations. Stacker stood next to the pilot, "What's our ETA lieutenant" looking at the smoke trails from the burning buildings they were nearing, "About 4 and a half minutes, we're droppin' hot"

"Roger" the sergeant reached for a battle rifle as he left the pilots cabin. Outside covenant and human forces were battling hard, his men were checking ammo and fitting their helmets. The sergeant major sat down next to private. Cole Mendiaz

"Nervous?" he asked

"Yeh, my first fight, just hope it's not my last" just as he said that the pelican rocked and a massive explosion ripped the nose of the craft off. Stacker looked round to the open hole at the front of the passenger bay, wind whipped through sending ammo packs and armour plating flying. "We are coming down hard repeat coming down hard" Stacker shouted into a radio set. The crash almost deafened him as the pelican hit the sand.

RECORD STOPPED ?

FILE CONTINUED

The burning wreckage of the pelican littered the beach and covenant forces were moving into attack position, all the passengers aboard the B6100 survived, but their warthog was obliterated, "Regroup, marines!" stacker was shouting clutching his bent battle rifle. Realising he reached for his magnum checking the mag and safety. "Sound off, marines" Stacker was stood atop an engine pod, the whole squad was armed, bar Mendiaz who was scoring the wreckage when he triumphantly emerged with a rocket launcher.

"This is bravo six one hundred we have crashed somewhere in the harbour area of Mombasa, repeat we have crashed somewhere in the harbour area of Western Mombasa."

"This is United Navy Space Corp, Shadow of Reach we have reports of incoming hostile forces on your position, take cover, ETA of thirty minutes, there's a LZ about four miles north it's a large open market or bazaar, maintain radio silence. Over and out" the radio cut out and stacker hopped onto the sandy ground.

"Lock and load!" stacker shouted and the marines set off down the beach.