Chapter 2 – 0807 Hours
"Yeah, sounds easy enough," Nicholson said. "What's the catch?"
"Oh, it's no biggie," I radioed. "It's just that if Intel's wrong, we could be turned into mincemeat in seconds by the approaching Covenant fleet. I asked Colonel about that, but he said it was 'a risk we're willing to take.'"
"Easy for him to say. He's not going on the mission," Davis said.
"Exactly what I said, but he didn't hear me." I checked my stopwatch. "Twenty seconds and counting. Lock and load, people." Despite all of my years as a Helljumper, my heart started to race. Hopefully, I thought to myself, they won't look up, or even be here. There was a rough jolt as the pod's landing systems kicked in. Ten seconds and we're on the ground. I was worried, but that was something no ODST could escape. For us, there was always something to worry about.
"In case we don't make it, I love you guys," Nicholson said. "Except for you, sir. I hate you for waking me up like-" BAM! We had hit the ground, and the pods shot open. Just as I was about to get out, I noticed a furry limb sticking out from under my pod, with red sand surrounding my pod.
"Oh, hey, a Brute Shot. And a freshly dead Brute under… your… pod… Damn, they're here. Run for cover!" Cummins shouted. I started to sprint, but then I turned around and slid as I grabbed the Brute Shot. Just then a Carbine trail raced past my left eye. I blind-fired a grenade and raced to catch up with my squad. I saw a Carbine fly over my head. Thank God, I thought, I hit him. We ducked into a building that was carved into the wall of rock, narrowly dodging the grenade volleys that followed us.
"Is anyone hurt or missing?" I asked. Everyone was here and in good condition. I saw an Elite out of the corner of my eye and raised my Brute Shot to fire, but then I eased off the trigger at the sound of a human voice.
"Don't shoot, he's on our side." Following the Elite was Sergeant Major Johnson. "The Covenant betrayed the Elites, Hunters, and Grunts, so they're helping us now."
"Whatever. Is Commander Keyes ok?" I asked, lowering my weapon. Explosions flooded the entrance, catching us all off-guard. "Oh yeah, we brought some company with us. In the mood to fight?"
"Hell yeah, sir. Arbiter, round up your Elites. We'll need their help. Let's kick some furry ass!" I fired a grenade at a Brute, but he ducked behind a rock. He began to laugh, I think, but when he looked over the rock another grenade went flying and hit its mark.
"If you think that was cool, sir, watch this," Davis shouted. A Brute began to strafe and began to fire a shot, but before the grenade left the barrel, a sniper round entered and detonated all four grenades, leaving a very bloody mess. I looked over to see Posada, the newest member of the squad, tilting her head to the side for a few seconds. Unfortunately, while I was watching Posada, a Carbine shot caught my right shoulder.
"Ah, I'm hit!" I yelled, and began to crawl backwards to safety while I felt the intense pain along with the smell of smoldering skin.. Sergeant Johnson, who was closest to me, immediately took my med kit and sprayed some BioFoam into the wound.
"Come on, sir. Can't have anyone dying but the Covenant," he said as he extended his hand.
"Good point." I grabbed his hand and got up, ready to fight again. I drew my pistol and aimed for a Brute's head, firing a shot. The round entered through his eye socket, and it made a 'ding' as it attempted to escape through the back of his skull. The last Brute entered what was deemed "Quarterback Mode" and ran around on all fours with reckless abandon, charging straight at Nicholson. I rushed into the Brute's path, drew my knife, and dove through its path, slicing the Brute's throat as I flew. The Brute and I hit the ground at the same time, but the difference was that I was alive. Just then Commander Keyes walked out, followed by a floating metal ball. "Commander, you just missed the party. We had so much fun." I quickly stood up and cleaned my knife off on my sleeve.
"Sorry, Lieutenant," Keyes replied. "I was talking to 2401 Penitent Tangent when we heard the fighting." She saw the confused look on my face. "This floating metal ball. Johnson and the Arbiter told me to stay and keep talking. Where's everyone else?" she inquired as I sheathed my knife.
"Everyone else, ma'am?"
"Are you telling me that the UNSC sent only five Helljumpers to rescue me?"
"I guess so, because it's only the five of us, the Elites, and the remains of a Brute patrol. Wait a minute, where the hell's our backup? Cummins, call for evac," I commanded.
"Yes, sir. This is Echo Squad. We have secured the packages and are requesting immediate evac, over," he radioed.
"This is Colonel Hegwood. We've detected unknown activity that has gotten the attention of the Covenant fleet. It seems to be a large group of Flood. You'll need to get away and find a suitable extraction zone. Over," Colonel replied.
"Sir, how far away from our location is the fighting?" Cummins asked. He was answered by a crashing Banshee that had a Combat form on it. Immediately an Elite charged and slashed it into pieces with an Energy Sword.
"This area is about to be overrun. We must move now," the Elite said.
"Good idea. Marines, secure all weaponry and move out," I ordered, followed by several Hoo-ah's.