Fireteam Cobalt was trudging through the swamp, strange noises and plants surrounding them. They were all silently hoping they wouldn't meet any wildlife. Troy was next to Flint, who moved slightly closer.

"That was amazing, what you did back there," he stated proudly. "I would never have been able to live through what you experienced, let alone forgive the people who did it to me, and then save one of their lives." Troy was glad he had his polarised ODST helmet to hide his expression.

"What I did was nothing. I have not forgiven anyone; it was fear for what would happen if I didn't do it that made me save him," Troy admitted emotionlessly. Flint looked away and didn't say anything else. Hoi held up a hand, signalling the team to stop.

"I'm picking up motion ahead," he whispered over the comms. Troy readied his SMG and Flint pumped his Shotgun. Hoi nodded at Yuri, who ran over to a ridge to find the perfect place to use his Beam Rifle. Hoi slung his Assault Rifle over his shoulder and signalled Calsu and Troy to take the left flank while he and Flint took the right. Troy gulped, but knew to complain would be to give away their position and ruin any chance of a quick and easy battle. Calsu crouched and moved in the direction she was told to, Troy having no option but to follow her. Calsu peeked between two large ferns and Troy heard a sharp intake of breath from her. Troy's curiosity momentarily overtaking his fear, he crawled over to her. They were on the edge of a large cliff, and below them was a huge valley. In the middle of the valley was a large Forerunner structure. The movement they were picking up was a flock of Sentinels. "Good," Hoi said rather loudly. "We made it."

"Excuse me sir?" Flint asked. "You knew this was going to be here?"

"That is the weapons cache," Hoi explained. He privately called his COs, most likely telling them about his discovery. They waited for a few minutes before they saw a Pelican fly over to the edge of the cliff they were on, hovering in such a way that they could get on, which they did. Calsu and Yuri both wore hateful expressions and refused to get in the ship with the two ODSTs. As Troy neared it, he saw why. He gasped as he spotted a sage Mark V Spartan casually reclining in the back. "Fireteam Cobalt, this is our final member; Eugene, the last Spartan that survived Reach." Eugene nodded curtly, then continued with his reclining. Yuri grumbled something in his native language and hesitantly stepped into the vehicle. Troy stepped in after him and took a seat. They all looked at Calsu expectantly. She just stood there, looking extremely worried.

"Come on, I won't bite," Eugene chuckled evilly. Troy could tell he was enjoying this immensely. Troy knew he should feel victorious that they were getting a taste of their own medicine, but he couldn't help but feel sympathetic towards the Sangheili as she still just stood there.

"Calsu, get in the Pelican," Hoi sighed. Calsu shook her head.

"Demon," she muttered.

"Get in the Pelican split-lip!" Flint growled. Troy did something that surprised everyone, most of all himself. He took off his helmet, stood up, and walked over to where Calsu was standing, then held out his hand.

"A few minutes ago, I did something I hated. I was scared out of my mind, but I did it. Now I feel better for it. I'm not saying this is going to be easy, all I'm asking is that you trust me," he whispered, so softly that only she could hear it. She glanced down at his hand uneasily, then tentatively took his hand in her own. He pulled her onto the Pelican gently and sat her down next to him. Troy didn't look up because he knew everyone was staring at him. The pilot had obviously glanced back and seen they were all on board, because the ship soon started speeding towards their objective.

"So... uh," Flint started. "What's so dangerous about that structure that we need a Spartan to help us?"

"Well, tell me if you find a giant-ass Forerunner weapons cache with no Covenant clinging to it and no Promethean guards," Hoi snapped. Troy had to admit, it was kind of obvious. Flint shrugged indifferently.

"No harm in asking. I mean, we don't need genetically-altered freaks to babysit us. I've killed Prometheans before." It was no secret that the ODSTs had a slight feeling of hostility towards the Spartans, the only thing better than them. The Pelican slowed to a halt, it was now hovering only a few metres above the grassy ground. Calsu jumped out first, then Yuri. They swept the area, searching for hostiles. Flint and Hoi followed with Eugene and Troy last. Troy couldn't help but notice the complete over-dramatic number of weapons Eugene was carrying. He had a Combat knife on his left shoulder, six Magnums strapped to his chest, two SMGs at his hip holsters, a Spartan Laser in his hands and an Assault Rifle on his back. "Could you bring any more weapons?" Flint snarled.

"Actually," Eugene hummed. "I forgot to bring my Shotgun. Mind if I borrow yours?" Everyone froze again. Troy found himself wondering who the hell decided it would be a good idea to put an ODST with a phobia of Elites and an ODST who had a problem with Spartans in the same group with those very things (also considering the fact that it was obvious Elites weren't very fond of Spartans either). Flint knew he would lose in any battle Eugene chose to face him in, and handed over his Shotgun.

"Nothing I wouldn't do for a friend," he replied icily. Eugene handed over his Spartan Laser and inspected his new weapon. Hoi looked troubled, but he decided not to say anything, instead he just signalled for his team to follow him.

The inside of the structure was much like any other Forerunner building you cared to wander into, only when they reached the interior, they found themselves on a small balcony overlooking racks upon racks of weapons.

"Whoa," Flint gasped. Even the Sangheili seemed impressed. "We're going to need a lot more Pelicans." Hoi nodded in agreement and moved off to make the request. Troy gulped as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He was leaning against the railing. All it would take was a single push and a simple cover-up... Troy suppressed his fears and turned to face Calsu. He was distressed to find that all the others had moved down the stairs to observe the weapons below. He was alone with her. She glanced left and right, making sure no one was around. She leaned in close to him, and Troy closed his eyes.

"Thank you," she hissed, before quickly pulling away and walking down the stairs, as if afraid someone had heard her. Troy stayed there dumbly. Hoi returned and leaned against the railing next to him.

"It's good to see someone that isn't dumbstruck by the –"

"Shh!" Troy silenced him suddenly. Hoi reeled back.

"What?" he roared. That was a complete disrespect of his authority.

"Can't you hear that?" Troy protested. Hoi stopped and listened. A faint thrumming sound coming from outside...

"Dropships," Hoi realised.

"Covenant," Troy confirmed.

"Fireteam Cobalt! Get your asses up here!" Hoi hollered. The four assorted species scrambled to get back up to the balcony. Hoi gestured outside and flicked the safety off his Assault Rifle. They got the message; Trouble.