3.
New York City/ North American Protectorate/ Mission clock 03:19:52

Two acknowledgement lights winked on Fred's HUD as the in front of him melted away under the intense heat of the scarabs main cannon, sending him to the ground. 'This isn't working' he thought as he picked himself from the ground, retrieving his fallen battle rifle. He looked out the newly formed window, the steel continuing to glow bright red as it cooled.
Three squads of marines, Fred, Will, and Linda held an ambush for a Covenant assault on the North American UNSC HQ based in New York. Everything went smoothly as planned, Will and one squad of marines were stationed in a structure on one side of the street, Fred and another in the building opposite, and Linda and a few other snipers were stationed on a bridge spanning between the two buildings. As soon as they opened fire, the battle quickly grew out of hand. They expected a lot, 10-15 wraiths, banshee cover, and a legion of Brutes, Jackals, and Drones, but two scarabs along with everything else was a tiny bit more than expected.
Fred finally saw his opportunity as one of the lumbering giants strayed a little to close to his building. "Now!" he shouted through his com channel. The lights winked once again as two rockets raced through the air and detonated on the deck of the first scarab, sending several jackals sailing through the air. Three brutes ran from the cockpit to the deck as Fred and several marines jumped from their positions and onto the deck as three simultaneous shots rang out from the bridge, causing each of the brute's heads to explode as the bullet traveled through. The scarab stopped dead in its tracks and adjusted fire at the causeway. Linda realizing what was about to happen got up from her prone position and started towards Will's building to her right. The two snipers also seeing the threat were close on Linda's heels, despite her having the advantage of being a Spartan. The scarab opened fire, its cannon cutting through the bridge like a hot knife through butter, completely turning the steel structure into a hulk of molten metal. Two more rockets raced through the air and detonated on the second scarab's deck, killing several brutes on impact, the signal for the marines to board the hulking beast. Fred pulled the pins from two frag grenades and threw one down each side of the corridor in front of him. Two Jackals' came running around the corner, using their handheld shields to protect their birdlike heads, and were met with the bullets from Fred and the other marine's battle rifles. They fell where they stood as the grenades detonated, killing what ever creatures were left inside. Fred walked down the ramp into the cockpit and peeked around the corner, finding nothing. He turned the corner rifle at the ready, the deafing sounds of the ensuing battle outside amazingly dulled inside the belly of the beast. Only the hum of machinery and dull thuds of explosions could be heard. Surprisingly the cockpit was empty, besides the bodies of four other jackals lying in the middle of the room. Fred heard a loud clank and was met with a Brute standing behind, he squeezed, the trigger aiming for the brutes face. The bullets merely ricocheted off a shield that glowed for a second and then returned to normal. The brute was on him in two strides, grabbing him by the neck, the seals on the new MarkVI suit breaking under the strain of the brutes grip. "Another demon. Your part in this war has ended," the brute said grinning as he squeezed harder. Fred, for the first time in his life, felt helpless, not being able to have the ability to fight back, to fight for his life. He felt the rage building up inside him, his hatred of the Covenant, of the ONI scientists who turned him into a monster, the loss of his brothers and sisters he grew up with, and of the war that held no purpose. Fred tightened his grip over the brute's hands and began to pull the massive creature's hands from his neck. More seals in his arms ruptured and the crystalline gel leaked to the floor of the scarab. The brute watched horrified at how one of the demons could overpower a brute's strength. 'They truly are not of this world,' the brute thought to himself as he dropped the Spartan to the ground and ran for the deck, knocking down the marines that stood mouths a gape at the Spartan that lay unconscious on the floor in front.

Linda picked off another brute that tried to enter the empty wraith that sat in the middle of the street. Another brute dropped midstride, then another, and another, the only lull in fire when she had to reload. She watched as Will fired to rockets onto the deck of the second scarab, giving more jackals the ability to fly. Several marines jumped on board and mopped up, while Fred fragged and entered the first scarab.
Will dropped the empty rocket launcher and grabbed his battle rifle. 'Things are finally looking up' he thought to himself as two marines carrying canisters of ammo for the turrets ran by. He loaded his battle rifle and started picking off the drones that fluttered about, attacking the marines with their tiny arsenals.
Linda continued picking off the seemingly endless tide of brutes.
"I need more ammo," she shouted to the ammo runners rushing off empty canisters. She saw the marines jump from the scarab back to the hotel, as the second scarab exploded a moment later. Then something caught her eye. A brute came running out of the cockpit and then over the edge of the first scarab, falling to his death.
"That was odd," she said to herself as one of the runners came back carrying sniper clips and dumping them next to her. She reloaded her rifle, tossing the empty clip behind with the others and looked back into to the scope only to see two marines holding Fred's limp body between them.
"Fred!" she screamed as she threw her rifle to the ground and ran as fast as she could down the hall.
Will watched the drones fall from the sky as the rounds met their skinny bodies. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Linda barreling down on him.
"What's the matter," he asked, curious as to why she didn't have her beloved rifle.
"Fred's down," she replied not breaking pace. Will instinctively dropped his rifle and followed suit. They both jumped down onto the scarab and grabbed Fred from the marines.
"He's only unconscious sir," one of the marines said backing off, watching the Spartans care for their wounded comrade.
"It was unbelievable," the other marine started, still in awe of the Spartan, "he just pulled his hands away, and things started popping, such strength," he added. Linda removed Fred's helmet to reveal a pale face stained by a bloody nose and a huge bruise around his neck, where the brute's hands once were.
"We'll take him from here. You two kill this scarab," Will said lifting Fred from the floor.
The scarab exploded as Will and Linda carried Fred down the battle scarred hall, past the marines, cheering as the Covenant fled, to a make shift infirmary down the hall.
"Don't worry," Will said reassuring his comrade, "He'll be fine."
"I know," she replied as they continued down the hall.