Chapter 1
0549 Hours, October 20, 2552
Aboard Earth defence platform, Cairo.
(4 Days earlier)
Tossing and turning on the hard mattress I awoke from nightmare to reality. Perspiration dripped from my forehead onto the bed sheets beneath me. Half dressed and saturated in sweat I rose moving wearily into the bathroom. I had been suffering from the same dream for the past few weeks. Without knowing what these nightmares were or what they meant was another dilemma. I would have to schedule an appointment at the stations infirmary but then again they may say that I was suffering from wartime stress and relieve me from my command. I couldn't let this happen not now anyway. Turning on the tap I filled the sink half full with cold water and dunked my head into the liquid. This cool refreshing chore was enough to awaken me from the aftershock. I stared into the square mirror above the sink looking into the eyes of the man who stood there. He was in his mid 30s, clean shaven with a small scar above his right eye concealed by his eyebrows. His face had an angular quality to it where the skull met the skin along his cheeks. Dark cobalt eyes peered back into mine showing the atrocities of battles which had passed. You would not believe in society today anything that this man had gone through. Never the less I had pursued through each skirmish mostly unscathed apart from a few wounds, none too lethal. Turning back toward the bedroom I put on my command clothes and checked the clock at my bedside. 0551 it flicked before shutting off. I would really need to replace the batteries before long. I made a mental note and picked up my pass for the station. On it was written:
Earth defence platform, Cairo Sergeant Chris "Headshot" Section 4 clearance
This meant I had clearance to everything except for control of this station which Lord Hood had. With this it would ensure that I could get around safely without much hassle. Before I went for my morning stroll I decided I should go to the stations canteen for some breakfast. On my way there I noticed that the corridors were empty and realised that I was meant to be at a proceeding at 0600 hours. Glancing at my watch and hurrying my pace I had just less than 4 minutes to reach the stations command deck in time.
I reached the command deck just after it had started. I had missed the giving of honours but another commotion was in the air. There stood Sergeant Johnson (who I should now have called Sergeant- Major), the Master-Chief and Cortana in all their glory.
"Slipspace ruptures, directly off our battle cluster"
"Show me" Replied Lord Hood as calm as ever.
"Fifteen Covenant capital ships, holding position just outside the Killzone"
What the hell. Did I just hear that correctly? Covenant ships had found us. I knew it was just a matter of time before they found us but not so soon. I had a family down on Earths surface and I wasn't about to just about to let the Covenant glass this world. I heard what sounded like Fleet Admiral Harper on the radio.
"We are engaging the enem"
I can't just stand here on this station and do nothing. I would rather be on Earth right now preparing to defend the assault wave. As if someone had listened to me rambling on.
"Sir, additional contacts! Boarding craft, and lot's of 'em!
I knew what had to be done; I would give my life to defend this station from any threat that would enter. Running towards the weapon stash I managed to grab a Battle Rifle and a small pistol sidearm.
"ALERT. Boarders inbound"
Round the corner I went ducking behind a barricade. Sgt Johnson was there and so was the Master Chief. He was huge. I'd never seen a Spartan this close up. We had all thought that the Spartan project had all been exterminated when Reach was glassed. I don't know whether I was more scared to take on the Chief or a covie Elite. I was glad at least for the time being that we had him on our side.
"How's it going, Malta"
"Stand by…they're latched! Check your targets, watch the crossfire. They're in standard formation, little bastards up front, big ones in back. Good luck, Cairo"
"Field of fire on that bulkhead. Soon as that door opens…let 'em have it"
I looked around the room for the final time. I saw Private "Se7en" issuing orders to another group of marines while nervously reloading his rifle. We were all nervous. I didn't have my body armour on so an accurate hit would either seriously wound me or worse, kill me. You could hear covies banging on the bulkhead. It was just a matter of time before they could open it. I stuck my head down and waited.