Author's Note: Thank you so much for the feedback, everyone! Your comments really mean a lot, so basically you guys rock! ;-) Hope you continue to enjoy, please please review, and, of course, peace!

Chapter Thirty: Heart of a City

1204 Hours, February 16, 2552. Europa Base, City of Cote D'Azur. "The Assembly," Planet Sigma Octanus IV. Day One of the Battle of Sigma Octanus IV

Second squad joined us during my chat with Captain Kingston, and then it was back to dodging Covenant air patrols. The heart of the huge city loomed just a few klicks away, and the tall and tightly-packed buildings surrounding us now was a testament to that fact.

Our platoon had encountered one more enemy ground patrol while we marched. This time, the Covies had brought along a pair of Hunters, making the third skirmish of the day the most challenging so far. But, with the help of the snipers in second squad, we'd managed to get out all right.

The day was halfway over, and first platoon still boasted its original group of Marines.

I just hope the rest of the day goes this well, I thought, sweeping my battle rifle left and right as I walked. You never knew where your next killer alien could come from these days.

After a short march, I finally saw what I had been looking for up ahead. It was a sign that read: COTE D'AZUR CITY LIMITS. We had made it.

"First platoon, halt. We've reached the city, and this place will be crawling with Covenant. Keep your eyes and ears sharp and check your weapons while we wait. Standby for orders," I said over the platoon-wide channel. As acknowledgement lights winked green, I switched channels to radio the captain.

He beat me to it.

"Cooper, this is Captain Kingston."

"Sir?"

"Stop wherever you are, Lieutenant. There's been a change in plans."

"What's going on, Captain?"

I heard Kingston sigh on the other end. "I'm not sure what to make of this information, Cooper. But Europa Base says they've been keeping an eye on media coverage of the invasion."

"Sir? All due respect, but since when does civilian news count as intel?"

"It's a damned miracle our company reestablished contact with base, Lieutenant. We're all still cut off from other groundside units." There was a pause before he continued. "The reports are grim, Cooper. The media announced that the entire planet has been glassed."

What? That can't possibly be right...I'm standing here right now! I thought. To Kingston, I replied, "Um...last time I checked, I'm still alive and breathing, sir."

"Same here. The report is obviously distorted, but base thinks some other parts of the planet could have truly been glassed. Therefore Europa no longer needs a recon mission, Lieutenant. It looks like we could be the last sector of Sigma Octanus Four still standing. This is now a full-scale battle for the whole base…and the planet itself." Captain Kingston gave me a moment to take it all in. The news was beyond surprising. "Do you understand the gravity of the situation, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, sir. Of course."

"Good. Here are your orders, Lieutenant: stay put and send me a map with your position. Third platoon will be arriving there shortly, and we'll follow with second. I want you to find a place for a briefing in the meantime. Bravo Company will take on the Covenant in the city together. Clear?"

"Consider it done, Captain."

"Excellent. Kingston out."

The connection cut, and I was left standing there, trying to make sense of what he'd said. If Europa Base and our company were the only UNSC forces left on a mostly-glassed planet, we were pretty much screwed. And why did the Covenant leave only the city of Cote D'Azur untouched? Something here wasn't adding up.

With my platoon still halted, I uploaded the map Kingston had requested and sent the information to his datapad and HUD. Then, I ordered Hillburn to watch first platoon while I searched for a briefing room.

During my search, I had a sudden and horrible thought: what if my husband had seen the initial---and wrong---media report that said all of Sigma Octanus IV had been glassed? Or my mother? They'll think I'm dead, and there's not even a way for me to let them know I'm still alive. But, judging by what Kingston said, I'm not sure any of us will survive much longer anyway. As soon as the Covies get what they want here, they'll finish the job. And suddenly, everything was clear to me.

One way or another, we had to keep the Covenant out of the city.

Our very lives depended on it.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Only Captain Kingston, Lieutenants Lewis and Graham, and I were at the briefing. The company's three second lieutenants were maintaining a small perimeter, each with their respective platoon. This way, in case a sudden Banshee attack wiped out the room Bravo's top officers were in, the company wasn't left without leaders.

The briefing, which was being held in someone's empty cellar, started as soon as Captain Kingston arrived with second platoon. The captain began by explaining Europa Base's news about media reports in further detail. Our company commanding officer also told us that Europa was currently in the middle of its own battle and fighting off wave after wave of Covenant attacks.

"This means," Captain Kingston continued, "that it is up to Bravo Company to drive the Covenant out of Cote D'Azur. After we accomplish that, Europa will hopefully break through the enemy lines so we can merge our forces once again." The captain looked each of us in the eye with a small smile on his face. "That's when we shove the alien bastards back into orbit. Questions?"

"What's the plan, Captain?" Lieutenant Graham asked, holding her assault rifle close.

"Like I said, first we have to get the Covies out. That's our top priority for now, designated 'Phase One'. The next step, 'Phase Two', is to maintain a perimeter around the city so that they can't get their hands on whatever it is they want. 'Phase Three': we reconnect with Europa's remaining troops and force the Covenant off the planet."

"Estimates on the enemy's numbers, sir?" Lieutenant Lewis inquired.

"That's what our job was supposed to be, Lewis. We've managed to get our air support up, but they've had a helluva rough time. Their presence has greatly reduced the number of Banshee patrols for us, but of course now our flyboys have to deal with 'em. That means no aerial recon until the skies are cleared out."

"This is an invasion, sir. I'd expect the numbers to be pretty high. Too high for one cut-off company, Captain," Graham added.

"We'll do what we can to protect the city, the evacuated civvies, and the base. No matter what," Kingston said.

"Yes, sir," the three of us answered.

"Anything else?" the captain asked.

"Sir, the invasion was unexpected, and the majority of us left base with little equipment. How long can we last without reinforcement and resupply?" I asked him.

"Don't worry, Cooper. When Europa sent those Warthogs for the civvies, they also sent up supplies. We have enough ammo, rations, and water for about two weeks. Even with the forces we're facing, that should see us through until we hook back up with base." Captain Kingston glanced around. Lieutenant Graham was frowning, Lewis looked pensive, and I kept my face carefully neutral. Finally, our CO said, "Well, that's all I've got for you. Brief your second lieutenants, prepare your platoons, and let's get this show on the road."