Aboard the Orbital Defense Platform "Gungnir"
In orbit around planet Reach, UNSC space
0617 Hours, August 30th 2552
Sweat trickled down the back of Private Phillips neck, life support systems were down to a minimum as the commander tried to push the station past the limit of its operational capacity. As a UNSC engineer assigned to keep Gungnir, an orbital MAC cannon powerful enough to shred right through almost every known covenant craft in a single round, Phillips was already waist deep in an open panel in the wall.
The station shook and another muted boom from the recoil mechanism in the cannon as a solid chunk of titanium-a was accelerated to near the speed of light.
"Private Phillips," The platform's AI, Huginn, spoke over Phillip's com. "We need that panel fixed now, their is only so long I can reroute through other systems without overwhelming the systems."
The engineer didnt bother to reply, buried waist deep in wires and circuits he focused on the task at hand. The scent of charred silicon assaulted him, but he worked quickly replacing components or jury rigging solutions on the fly.
The station shook again, but not from recoil.
"Huginn, what was that?"
"Plasma strike on the lower decks, we've lost most of our maneuvering capability."
Phillips swore even as he brought the final wires together and status lights around him began winking through diagnostics.
Phillips pulled himself out of the panel, grabbed his tools, and ran to the next area that needed his attention.
He tried not to think that the stations power depend on the planetside fusion generators remaining operational despite overwhelming Covenant force against them.
He tried not to think of the Ships giving themselves in defense of this station, and that they couldn't prevent the Covenant from slagging it eventually.
He tried not to think of his fiancee who had been on the lower decks, desperately trying to keep their maneuvering thrusters running despite the constant use.
If he thought too much about it he knew that he wouldn't be able to work, and he would be damned if he died cowering and sobbing in a corner.
I honestly lost inspiration for this halfway through but forced myself to continue because i promised it in the last fic. I feel my next short story will be much improved, and I must confess ive always held a soft spot for ONI.
Hey There! Did you like this fanfiction? Cause I would love to write more! Alas, eating costs money. So does housing and school and my addiction to cats! Now I could work at some low paying grunt job somewhere... But that would reduce my fanfic output. Never fear, for there is a solution to this catastrophe- You can support me on ! Just visit vladerag and you can help support me and my writing! Thank you for your time and enjoy reading!