Selco, gun at the ready, jumped around the corner, closely followed by the two privates. They ran down the corridor for about a hundred metres before coming to an intersection. Without pause, Selco turned right, towards the hangars, and came face to face with an Elite and his grunt entourage in the process. However, with the comfort of steel in his hands, his military training took over.

The Elite, still stunned by a human barrelling around the corner, could only watch in dismay as Selco stabbed the barrel of the shotgun to his chest, and pulled the trigger, sending a spray of pellets through the Elites Chest, chewing straight through the shield, Armour, and Flesh with ease. Before the Elite hit the floor, Selco had spun into the nearest grunt. Letting the hand supporting the gun fall away, He clubbed the grunt over the head with the barrel.

He turned to the last grunt, and froze. The grunt was standing, with it's plasma pistol fully charged, and aimed at his gut.

"Bye-Bye, Human!" it squeaked.

Selco could only watch as the ball of molten plasma was fired from the gun. Or, at least, it would have, had the young private not chosen that moment to unload a clip into the grunt. Selco took the cue, and dived to the side. The spray of bullets swung across the head of the grunt, then down across the arm, effectively severing both. The ball of plasma splashed against the wall, leaving a charred hole.

Selco stood up, gazing across the fallen bodies. Apart from Selco's two kills, both of the marines had made one apiece. A bit further up the hall lay the remains of a Fire Team that Selco recognized as Sergeant Luto's.

Selco paused in shock. Luto had been a friend of Selco's Since back in training, or, as most people hear it called, Boot Camp. Luto was the one that always laughed, and never complained. What was more, he, along with Selco, was one of the few survivors of Rikto. Those few who had survived the Rikto Incident were like brothers. Their numbers had been reduced over the years, until only two had remained. Luto was the one who… No! Selco Forced those thoughts out of his head. Rikto was a hell-hole. His thoughts Dwelled there often enough in his slumber, without being reminded of it in his waking hours.

Selco turned around, and looked to the two marines. "Good work you two, now, Lets Go." He said, as he jogged towards the hangar.

"Uh, Sergeant Major. The Novus' Lightning is the other way."

Selco stopped, and slowly turned around.

"oh… ok then. You lead the way, private. I'll follow behind you."

Selco turned to look atthe other marine"You take the back."

Both Privates nodded, before the first jogged off in the direction of the Novus' Lightning, Followed by Selco, Gun at the ready, and finally, the last private. As Selco Jogged, he said a silent goodbye to Sergeant Matt Luto, USMC. Even through the sorrow, Selco couldn't help but think;

'And then there was One.'

The trip to the Ship was largely uneventful. They ran into another Lone Elite, and a pair of grunts not much later, but apart from that, all they did was run. Eventually, the trio burst out into the open. The leading private pointed upwards.

"And there, Sergeant major, is the Novus' Lightning. Pride of the fleet."

Selco's Breath was taken away by the sheer Beauty of the ship. She was like nothing he had ever seen. Shaped like a Drop of water, with 6 massive engine pods, The Novus' Lightning Dwarfed the Covenant Cruisers Swarming around her. Suddenly, a brilliant explosion of white light burst forth from the Hull of the ship. It smashed into the Covenant Cruisers swarming around it in the carnage.

The Novus' Lightning, one of the last things defending the planet, and, indeed, one of the last hopes of Mankind, was gone. In one Brilliant explosion, it was gone. In the Dusk of the planet, he sank to his knees, staring into the smoke.

Then, a faint outline appeared through the smoke. Selco stared, not daring to believe it, but, sure enough, there was the Novus' Lightning, now shooting normally, as the remainder of the covenant fleet retreated. As he gazed in wonder, he saw a small dot fall off the ship. He watched it for a full minute, before he realized what it was.

The Private who he had led him to this spot turned around, smiling.

"well, it looks like they've spotted us now. well, while we wait, I'm Private Dan Russo. this here is Private Jim Jones. He's still a bit nervous after that run in the other day."

Selco turned to the other marine, Private Jones.

"Marine. you did good back there. you saved my life. Thanks."

Private Jones smiled." it's fine, Sergeant major. Don't worry about it."

Smiling, selco gazed up at the Novus' Lightning once more.