SURFACE OF ATLAS
0948 LOCAL TIME
ECHOLEON PASS
The Covenant was on the move.
The tramp-tramp of over a thousand pairs of feet, coupled with the continual hum of anti-gravity pads, grew louder with every passing moment. As they approached the forest edge a mile away from Charlie base, the marines discomfort grew. They were outnumbered by almost ten to one. They were outmatched in weaponry. But they were all battle hardened, ready to fight to their last breath.
From his vantage point, Corporal Andrew Jackson could see the whole battlefield. He would be relaying tactical information to the marines at Charlie base, and would be searching for any Covenant officers he could take out. As he peered through the scope on his rifle, he saw something that shocked him.
His targeting reticule was lined up with the head of one of the leading alien classes, a hulking brute of a thing carrying what looked like a ceremonial mace. Those aren't Elites… he thought, a worm of fear burrowing through his belly. He called in on his radio.
'Sarge, I got good news, and bad news.'
'Give it to us straight Jackson. Start with the good.' The sergeant, Kevin Daniels, replied.
'There aren't any Elites in this army. In fact, I doubt there are any on this planet.' Jackson said in a low tone.
There was silence for a few seconds. 'I don't like where this is going.' Daniels replied, a small amount of worry in his voice. 'What's the bad news?'
Jackson took a deep breath before answering. 'There appears to be another species of alien leading this battle. They look like Elites on steroids and hair growth pills. Or gorillas in armour.'
Daniels swore. 'This sounds bad. I'm calling command.'
On board the Testament of Mankind, Captain Lawrence Holwerda was thinking about the report Sergeant Daniels had just given. Replying back he said
'Sergeant, we have just received intel on this new species. We know them as 'Brutes', and this is an apt name indeed. They are larger in height and body mass than Elites, and are prone to beserking at times. They are EXTREMELY dangerous. I recommend extreme caution when fighting these aliens.'
'More so than usual?' Sergeant Daniels replied with a sardonic laugh.
The Captains reply was deadly serious. 'Do not underestimate them, Sergeant.'
Daniels acknowledged and signed off. Captain Holwerda then turned to Caroline, the ships AI. 'Wake the ODSTs. I'm sending them in.