Chapter 13:
"I understand your concern, Noble Leader, but we can't back out now because you're scared you'll lose more men. This is war. Good soldiers lose their lives daily. And more will lose their lives if you drop out of the mission," said Colonel Holland.
"I know, but I lost my previous team in this. I don't want to lose another," replied Dark Wolf. He stood at the outer balcony of the first UNSC Spire, discussing with the Colonel how exactly he felt about having his team killed off.
"I know what you mean," said Holland, "I have lost good friends in war. But, we should keep on fighting for them. We can't leave just to grieve and guard the friends we have left."
Dark Wolf sighed in resignation. Some people claimed to have good friends that died, but they didn't know their friends like he'd known his squad… they were like family to him. With his emotions put aside, he asked the Colonel, "What's our next mission?"
"We need several covenant anti-aircraft canons so we can land on the planet en-masse. A Pelican will be here to pick you up soon."
Dark Wolf paused for a moment, not wanting to accept… he was bound by duty though to give the simple answer, "Yes sir."
"Colonel Holland out," Dark Wolf's comlink went dead. He turned around and headed back into the Spires main hub.
The remaining three members stood in front of the shield generator console, talking. Mage noticed Dark Wolf and turned around.
"Hey, boss," he said, "How did it go?"
"Not very well, from my point of view," said Dark Wolf with a hint of anger, "We've got a new mission."
This got Jewel and Holmes attention, "A new mission? What is it?" asked Holmes.
"We've got to take out a bunch of anti-aircraft guns so the cavalry can arrive."
"Excellent!" laughed Mage with heartiness, "How many of us do you think will die this time?"
Everyone stared at him.
"What? I was just kidding!"
"Alright, then," said Dark Wolf, "Cortana, do you have the mission details?"
Cortana's face appeared on the screen of the console, "Yes, they were transmitted here several seconds ago."
"Very well then, what do we need?"
1 hour later
Dark Wolf blasted the last Grunt with his assault rifle and turned to the energy core of the team's second anti-aircraft gun. A few more rounds opened the case around the swirling plasma, into which Dark Wolf inserted an active plasma grenade. Then he ran for his life.
Outside the anti-aircraft guns energy compartment, Dark Wolf ran to the teams Warthog.
"Let's go!" he yelled as he leaped into the back of the truck, beside Mage's Gauss. Holmes stomped on the gas, and the Warthog raced away from the anti-aircraft gun just before it exploded.
"How many more do we have?" Dark Wolf yelled over the roaring engine.
"Three," called back Jewel. This time she was the one to have Cortana hooked up to her helmet. Dark Wolf didn't envy her; Cortana was a nuisance when she wasn't an advantage.
The Warthog raced across the rocky terrain of Reach, headed for its next quarry. As it rounded a large boulder, a plasma blast hit right behind it.
"What was that?" yelled Dark Wolf, looking around in surprise.
"PHANTOM!" roared Mage, and brought his Gauss to bear on the enormous troop carrier swooping above them.
ZORT! ZORT! ZORT!
Mage fired off three blasts from his Gauss, and blasted off the troop carriers canon. Immediately a Jackal sniper leaned out the loading bay and opened up with its needler rifle. Mage ducked under the purple darts, then aimed his Gauss again, albeit more carefully.
ZORT!
The golden beam of energy blasted right through the loading bay of the Phantom, killing the Jackal immediately. An Elite stepped up to bat with another needler rifle.
"Oh, come oh!" complained Mage, as more darts began flying past his head.
Jewel stood up from the passenger's seat and began to shoot at the Elite with her magnum. A bullet hit the Elite in the shoulder, and it roared in pain. Now with a grudge (and a new target) the Elite lobbed a plasma grenade at the Warthog.
The grenade connected with a tire and exploded, flipping over the Warthog. The remains of the Noble Team were knocked off the Warthog and onto the trail.
The Elite grunted in satisfaction and took aim with its needler rifle again.
Jewel stood up and began to search for her magnum, which she had lost in the explosion.
Dark Wolf stood up just in time to see her scream and crumple, holding her leg. Red blood seeped from a puncture wound, and the muscle seemed to buckle underneath her. Rage clouded his vision- he wasn't going to let another member of his team die!
Dark Wolf raced to the damaged Warthog and flipped it over, then leaped into the gunner's seat. With a moment's aim and a loud ZORT, the Elite was blown out of the loading bay as well.
The Phantom then peeled away, apparently out of snipers. While somewhat relieved, the Noble Team still feared for their female comrade.
Dark Wolf immediately raced back to Jewel, in time to see Holmes bending over Jewel's injured leg.
"What happened?" he asked.
"The needle hit her in the calf. She won't be able to walk for a while," replied Holmes.
"Is the needle still in?"
"No, it went in one side and out the other."
"We need to get her some medical attention imme-"
"Hey, Dark Wolf!" yelled Mage, "You had better get over here quick!"
Dark Wolf turned to see Mage standing on top of the Warthog, looking out away from the road.
He climbed up next to Mage, "What is i- oh..." he trailed off.
The Phantom had dispatched a team of Elites, all of them General class, and all of them wielding energy swords.
"We have to get Jewel out of here now," he said.