Arrival
(Disclaimer: I don't own Halo)
James took off at a jog headed toward the downed ship they were supposed to investigate. It was a small frigate with barely a company of marines left on board after deployments and they had been cut down significantly during recent fighting. All communication had been cut off after the communications array had been shot off. Nobody on the ground had responded either when hailed. It had barely a company of marines left as ship defense after recent deployments and that was the smallest company of the regiment greatly depleted by casualties.
They were being chased by several hundred Covenant troops themselves and James hoped to find re-enforcements at the downed War Games. If not they would probably be trapped and cut down. James grimaced at the thought as he continued shooting while trying to report to the Kiowa, where he was speaking to Captain Ambrose directly. He and Bunker had managed to eliminate all of the Brutes as they had charged on all fours after the Ghost had been eliminated. No the Elites were the biggest problem as it didn't seem like they had any snipers among them.
As James and his team approached the ship they were surprised to run into a picket of Marines in fighting holes and crew members manning turrets and holding whatever weapons they could get.
"Corporal," a Lance Corporal Wilson nodded to him as his team passed the forward positions. "I've radioed Gunny Jordan that you're on your way in. Welcome to the party," he said with a forced smile.
James looked them over as he passed. They were all banged up pretty bad and one corpsman even had his own arm in a sling as he tried to look after others. He was met at the airlock by Gunny Jordan who flashed a smile at him and greeted him warmly.
"Bout time we got some real fighters here," he said loudly, "This bunch probably couldn't fight a cold." Those within hearing distance let out a laugh.
James nodded a greeting and got straight to the point, "OIC?" he asked. Gunny Jordan nodded.
"We lost the entire bridge crew on a direct hit. We only had a Lieutenant running our company, rest were already dead," he spat on the ground, "We got a couple Lieutenants from the ship crew but their mostly useless. I let them feel important by being in charge of a couple sailors in sections of the ship."
"If they get inside the ship," James said, "Their going to hunt us down. We've taken out quite a few but theirs hundreds to begin with."
"Brought company?" Gunny Jordan asked and James gave him nod, "Re-enforcements?"
"We're it for now," James told him.
"I've got some thirty odd Marines, and about a hundred sailors," Gunny Jordan said. "There all brave enough and we've got plenty of ammo, but I'm bettin' you've been around this war a bit to know what I'm tryin' to say." James gave him a sharp nod. "I know," he said quietly.
He knew that the Covenant would chase them through the ship and over power them by sheer numbers or simply send in a couple pairs of Hunters or a couple squads of Brutes and it would be over. Inside the ship would be close quarters, melee territory, which was decidedly in the Covenants favor.
"Do you have any comm. at all?" James asked.
"We've got the communications officer working on riggin' up somethin'," Gunny Jordan said, "You should probably meet him anyways seein' as how he's the rankin' officer here."
James nodded and leaving Bunker in charge took Tyler with him as he made his way into the bowels of the ship to meet the communications officer. James studied the ship as he walked through it. Everything that wasn't bolted down had been tossed. Meals were on the floor in one Mess Hall and several sections of the ship were burned out while other had live wires hanging through them or the lights were out.
"Lieutenant Tyson is the communications officer," Gunny Jordan said making conversation as they walked, "He's a decent enough guy for an officer."
They entered a hanger where a crew of sailors was working under the supervision of a tall lanky lieutenant with sharp features and dark hair. Gunny Jordan called out to him to gain his attention.
"This is Corporal Dawn, sir," he said, "We now have six ODST and a crewmember of a downed Pelican who was flyin' them here."
James nodded a greeting, "How're you sir?"
"Tired, and worried," Lieutenant Tyson said, "Are you the advanced party or the re-enforcements?"
"Both, I think," James said, "My Staff Sergeant who was the team leader died on impact along with the assistant team leader. Right now we're all you're gonna get until the ground battle calms down. Once it does then we're gonna get out of here."
"Well we'll just have to hold then won't we," he said. "Gunny Jordan could use you. Most of his men are fresh from boot camp. Never seen combat, isn't that right Gunny?"
"That's correct sir," Gunny Jordan responded. He turned to James, "You use your men as best you know how but, I would like a few outside."
"We'll all stay outside to boost your men," James said, "Most of us are riflemen. I'll post myself in an overview position with my sniper rifle. Do you have any snipers Gunny?"
"None, like the Lieutenant said, these guys are all either boots or on the verge of shellshock," Gunny Jordan responded, "The few vets I have are on the verge of shellshock if not already there."
James nodded, "Oh and by the way," he grinned behind his helmet, "I have comm. with Kiowa if you want me to send any messages jump on a mike and send it to me."
"Thank you Corporal," Lieutenant Tyson said, "But ours is ready to turn on now. We'll be transmitting shortly."
James nodded and left, already speaking to his men over their comm. link.