Spartan 058 - The Tale of a Sniper
Chapter 7 - Berlin, Germany UNSC Medical Hospital

All Linda could do was think about the Chief explaining what had happened on the first Halo, the Covenant, 343 Guilty Spark, and the Flood. She wondered if the Flood would be there as well, she could only assume and hope for the best. As more gruesome thoughts burned their way into Linda's mind, Will walked in to the immense cafeteria.

"He's goin to be fine, the doctor said that he must have gotten hit on the head pretty hard, but even I could have told them that judging by the size of that dent in his helmet." said Will in a warm soothing tone.

"I hope that we can get out of here soon, we've got to prep before the Covenant attack again," said Linda in a not to reassured voice. "This was one of our few wins even though we barely managed that and I just want there to be another one the next time the Covenant come knocking."

"That's true, anyways the Doctor said Fred should be good to go in about twenty minutes, and I can't wait to get out of here!" said Will.

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The three Spartans sat in the aft hold of the Pelican as it ascended into space toward Cairo Station, Lord Hood had ordered the three of them up as soon as Fred was walking in a straight line again. The flight had little conversation as their minds were all on the Chief and his recent mission on the second Halo ring. They pulled into the hangar bay and moved quickly into the control room of the massive station.

"Welcome, I hope u had a good stay on Earth," said the Admiral with somewhat of a smile, "It's been a few days since we've heard from Miranda and the Chief, and all we can do now is hope for their safe return, but turning our attention to more local problems, refitting and repairing our fleet. The Covenant managed to knock out thirteen platforms, not exactly a lucky number. Look here at the screen."

He pointed to the large Military planning screen stationed in front off the large window; the three all looked and turned on their ears as the Admiral went on.

"The thirteen platforms were all knocked out around Africa, as you probably noticed they only landed in New Mombassa. Most of the carrier class ships completely ignored the guns and let the smaller destroyer types take on the MAC guns and the fleet. The only ship to escape was the Prophet of Regret's personal ship, we managed to mop up the rest easily but not at a cost." said Hood in a more to the point tone. "We are still looking for survivors in the debris field surrounding Earth and rummaging through what's left of the Covenant's ships. Your tasks now are to search the larger pieces of wreckage for anything that is still serviceable, a small platoon of men have been station on the job but most of the men are currently working on repairing what we have left, I just hope it is enough when the Covenant return, good luck to you all, dismissed."

The Spartans saluted and turned on their heel toward the door at the rear. They took the tram to the nearest armory to a pair of privates mopping the floor of the blue blood of the Covenant and the red of some unlucky human. They all grabbed space capable booster packs along with an array of weapons and headed to the hangar.

"We'll need to link up with the other marines stationed on the task, and find out where the most help is needed," said Fred.

"Not exactly the mission I would classify as Spartan material but whatever we can do to help," said Will in a weary voice.

She was glad that they were all doing much better; even though things had cooled down she couldn't help but wonder what would happen next. Would the MAC guns hold up next time the Covenant decided to attack? She hoped the Chief was ok; things just seemed to run much better when he was around.

They rounded the corner and came into the hangar bay to find a Pelican waiting for them with a wide eyed pilot sitting up front.

"You all ready?" asked the young pilot.

"Yes private, let's head out," said Linda with a certain calm only snipers could find.

"Aye, Aye ma'am," said the pilot as he turned the engines on, a satisfying roar was emitted.

And with that they were gone.