Impact left the Wargames defeated, most of their number feeling like someone had hit them with a warhammer. Which Alpha pretty much had.
"Damn," Mike had said as they left the holo deck.
"I knew Alpha was tough," Price groaned as he stretched his neck. "Just not that tough."
"OK, Impact, lets give you something a little... easier, huh?" Roland said, "How about 12 on 12? Fireteams Domino, Wolf and Tower will be with you in-" his hologram put a hand to it's 'ear'. "Actually, belay that. Palmer wants you in the War Room for a briefing. Won't say what for."
"Understood. Report to the War room for an unknown reason. Same Palmer as always," Will answered, "We'll be right there."
The six headed aft along S-Deck, to the war room, finding Commander Palmer and a group of handlers present.
"Good to see you, Impact," Palmer said.
"Ma'am." Was their collective reply.
"Take a seat." she ordered, gesturing to the six empty seat on their side of the table.
The Spartans complied. The table's holographic projector hummed to life, displaying another fireteam. Their symbol flashed above each head, an anvil being struck by a lightning bolt on a square background.
"This is Fireteam Lightning. Five minutes ago we received this transmission." she tapped a button on the table. A voice, female, with a New Harmonian accent, came through the speakers:
"Lightning Two to Infinity, mayday, mayday. We are at five men and under heavy fire. Covenant forces sieging our current position. Can not, repeat, not, holds our curre- Mac, Banshee! Left side!"
"Oh, I see 'im. Come 'ere, mate!" Another voice responded.
"Send help immediately." The first voice finished.
William was troubled. It would take two or three platoons of conventional infantry to pin down a SPARTAN-IV unit, especially if they'd already succeeded in killing one of them.
"What needs done, ma'am?" he asked.
"We need you to get planet-side, help Lightning clear that Covenant group and secure an LZ. You'll be deploying by way of SOEIVs, and you're to arm up and head straight for the launch bays. We need a small team, no more than three or four, to minimalise further casualties. It's your call on who drops, Phönix."
William considered his options. Banshees were mentioned, so heavy weapons and range were both essential.
"Carrington, Raul, and Mike, get prepped. Des, Que, I want you on standby in case we need reinforcements. Let's move."
Carrington's pod slammed into the hard, artificial earth of Requiem, kicking up debris like a geyser. She let her heart beat once, twice, before hitting the release.
"Still with us, Dimitrius?" Raul queried over TEAMCOM.
"Yeah, I'm here. Sit-Rep?"
"You might want to see for yourself."
The pod door's hydraulics hissed, and the door opened to reveal the rear of a Covenant army advancing on four crimson-armored Spartans.
"Aw Hell."
Wind Ace typed this chapter and I rather liked it so I thought Id use it, with a few minor changes. Thanks Wing Ace