SURFACE OF ATLAS

0957 LOCAL TIME

UNSC ORBITAL GUN ONE

'What the HELL have we gotten into this time Sarge?' George 'Bullseye' Gundar exclaimed.

Sergeant Fowler was unable to respond. What they had all heard on Conrad's radio transmission had rocked Fowler especially hard.

Sergeant Adam Lawson, recognising that something was up with Fowler, gave a few sharp commands, effectively clearing the barracks. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Lawson met her eyes with compassion. 'Everything alright, Alice?'

Fowler was tempted to lie. To merely shrug it off. Of course she was fine. She was a Marine wasn't she? And a rough-as-guts Sergeant to boot.

She raised her eyes to Lawson's, and he could see tears welling in her large hazel eyes.

'No… I'm not fine…' she finally sobbed. And for the first time in years, Alice Fowler cried.

Outside the barracks, Bullseye and the rest of Fowler's marines were getting worried. Their Sergeant had led them on countless missions against the Covenant, never once breaking under pressure. But now with this new threat, this new alien, she seemed to have lost her hardened demeanour. Finally, Bullseye decided to speak.

'Alright boys, it looks like the Sergeant will be sitting this one out.'

The other marines turned to him. They knew that, as Fowler's second-in-command, Bullseye would be the one to lead them now. He continued.

'You all heard what happened to Conrad; it was one of those new Brute aliens. They are without a doubt the most evil bastards we have ever faced. But we need to stand firm. For the sake of the Sarge. For the sake of Atlas. For the sake of mankind in general. Each battle we win, we show the Covenant that the human race is not one to be trifled with. Now, you all heard Fowler's battle plans, so let's turn this place into the toughest nut the Covenant have ever had to crack. Move out!'

The marines all replied with a rousing 'Hoo-rah!', and went about setting up various defences. Bullseye threw one last look at the barracks door. 'It'll be ok Sarge. We'll get through this.'

This war has been hard on all of us. Sergeant Lawson thought. Why can't it just end?

Lawson was standing at the foot of a bed, facing outwards. Lying on the bed was the now broken Sergeant Fowler. She had cried for nearly half an hour before stumbling towards a bed for a weary sleep. Lawson stood guard over her in a protective way. He also pondered the upcoming battle. What were the strategies the Brutes used? If they were replacing the Elites they must be devastating in battle. For that matter, what had happened to the Elites?

At that moment, Bullseye walked into the barracks, saluted, and said

'Defences are online sir.'

'Thankyou Corporal.' Lawson replied. 'I suggest you set yourself up on top with plenty of rifle ammo, I don't want our only sniper having to run down and reload halfway through the battle.

'Will do sir.' Bullseye saluted, then strode towards the armoury. A few seconds later, the young red haired scout walked in.

'Sarge, Simmons just radioed in. He's made contact with Bravo team, and is going to stick with them for a while.'

Lawson nodded, then paused for a minute. 'Connor, when you joined us a few months ago, what did you say you specialised in?'

'Explosives. And I did alright in sharpshooting.'

'You mean you're a sniper as well?' Lawson asked with surprise.

'Not really,' Conner shrugged. 'But I was top in my squad.'

'That's excellent!' Lawson said happily. 'I want you up top with Corporal Gundar from the Testament. We need all the sniping ability we have.'

'Yes sir!' Connor saluted, and headed to the armoury to pick up a rifle.

With two snipers, we may have just increased our odds. Lawson thought.