Forceful Entry

by Scepterfall

After leaving the Jedi Order, Ahsoka Tano calls in a favour to leave Coruscant. Jedi Master Aayla Secura happily assists the former Jedi. But while on route to Aayla next deployment, a mysterious gravitational anomaly pulls them from light speed. Now the two Force sensitives, along with a handful of clones, find themselves in another war! *Covering the events of Halo 2, and Halo 3

5. Chapter 5

"Breaking news on Scipio! We have just received new information regarding the complete blackout of the entire planet. It has been two days since all contact with the Banking Clan's planetary headquarters has been mysteriously lost, following only months after a battle between the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. We still do not know what happened on Scipio, but we now do have official responses from both sides of the war.

Earlier today, the CIS held a press briefing regarding the loss of contact with Scipio;

'While we have lost the battle to take the planet of Scipio, we do not have any active plans of retaliation, or Operations to sabotage the Banking Clan's ability to function. We do not know what has happened in Scipio, and suspect that this is a Republic ruse to further discredit our movement, and our independence.'

While only a few hours after that response was released, the Republic has also released an official statement, regarding the blackout on Scipio;

'Regarding the complete loss of contact of the planet Scipio, we have already sent a fleet in order to investigate the situation. We understand that the planet was just recently liberated, and fighting is still a fresh memory for those on the planet. Therefore we have sent a fleet, equipped with engineers, humanitarian aid, and military force for security. As of right now, there is still nothing to report, and we will keep you updated on the situation.'

Many Munns from across the Galaxy have shared their concern over the blackout, wondering what has happened to their families, and whether they are safe or-"

"Turn that off please."

"Yes sir!"

The Clone crew member turned off the holoscreen at the order of the Korun Jedi. When initial reports broke out regarding the complete loss of communications with Scipio, it was just another mystery stacked on top of the many mysteries regarding that region of the Galaxy. First a Jedi and a chunk of her Star Corps went missing while trying to rendezvous with the Outer Rim fleet. Then mysterious bodies with mass produced slugthrowers were discovered with a random debris field where Aayla Secura first went missing. After that, more prominent Jedi and a senator went missing in the same area, along with more Clones. Which leads to now.

Scipio has been rendered completely uninhabitable.

Mace Windu stared out from the bridge of his Jedi Cruiser, with the 187th Legion deployed planetside to investigate its ruins. His face, hard and near emotionless, studied the planet surface with nothing but his naked eye. Seeing canyon size marks of devastating plasma scarring the surface, until it was nothing but a glass like texture.

Glass. That was the word that stuck out to the Jedi Master. The surface of the planet was nothing but glass, snow and ash. So far, no survivors could give them a first hand account, but an estimated untold billions had been eradicated. The Munns were now considered at risk, as a large chunk of their population and culture had vanished in a single day.

Mace sighed at the thought, closing his eyes to contemplate the Force. It was a complete waste of life, that of the populace and the entire planet. He remembered just a couple of days ago, when news of the planet's blackout first surfaced, how every Jedi in the entire temple felt and heard the screams of agony and death, echoing throughout the lasted the entire day, then… deafening silence followed. He got a call from the senate building, Master Yoda was terribly weak for reasons unknown to any who wasn't sensitive to the Force. Once Yoda was back in the Temple, resting in his quarters, an emergency meeting was held, to discuss the major incident.

Whoever did this was clearly powerful, but clueless to value the planet held. A suspicion was held against the Separatist, but many questioned whether they would commit such an atrocity at such a level that could send waves within the Force. Ultimately with the lack of information, nothing was concluded. A day later he was asked to investigate Scipio with the 187th, bringing various resources to aid in any way they could. It was all for naught when the first arrived in the system.

"General Windu, Sir." His Clone Commander saluted behind him. The Jedi Master turned to face the trooper, wordlessly nodding to him to continue. "Update report by planetside, unfortunately just more ruins, rubble, and remains of the populace. Nothing was spared, whoever did this was extremely thorough." He handed Mace a Datapad, showing the report itself.

"Any information regarding how thorough?" He said as he scrolled steadily through the list.

"Very, thoroughly sir. We have reports of crashed ships filled to the brim with civilians on the surface of the planet. More specifically, the ships crashed onto the glass surface, sir." Mace went to that part of the report, showing a few pictures of transport ships. The interior of these photos had little to no crates of cargo, but with mounds and piles of corpses. "Sir, this means that whoever did this, shot down as many ships fleeing the planet."

"Are there any reports of survivors in any neighboring systems? Mygeeto? Minashee?" Mace questioned.

"None so far sir."

"Hm." The Jedi Master put a hand on his chin, finding an answer regarding that specific part of the report. He didn't like where it led him though. "I'm afraid with the window rapidly closing, we assume for now that whoever did this was exceptionally powerful."

"You mean they shot down any and every ship attempting to flee?" That was a tall order for the Clone Commander. It seemed so impossible yet… So far the theory is working out. The Commander contained a shudder, when the Datapad Mace was holding beeped, indicating an update.

The Jedi Master scrolled through one of the two new updates that were sent to them. "Two updates, the first from the crews onboard the wrecked Venators. Besides extensive plasma damage that indicates powerful weaponry, all the ship's droids and the ship's archive unit are missing."

"That's typical after-battle intelligence gathering. Weren't you involved with the incident involving General Skywalker's astromech droid, when he forgot to scrub its memory and internal storage?"

"I wasn't involved in that incident. My incident with that astromech involved the R2 unit rescuing me and General Skywalker."

"Ah, I understand." Mace continued to go through the reports, eventually landing onto the second update report. This time, it was from one of the ground teams.

"One of the ground teams managed to get fragments of footage from the security guard's body camera." Mace said, showing the Datapad to the Clone Commander. "Let's take it to the table." He finishes, walking to the back of the bridge and to the holotable. The Officers and crewmen working around the table quickly cleared it for the General and Commander. After a series of button presses, a screen popped up above the table, and the footage started playing.

The first thing that shows on the screen was static, eventually that static was starting to give way to the actual footage. Yet light static was still visible, with the occasional pop ins of the full picture.

It showed three security guards from the Banking Clan's headquarters, standing in place, gesturing where fleeing civilians were trying to go. Or at least that's what they got from the heavily corrupted and damaged footage, fragments of the guards' gestures. To make it more difficult, the audio was completely out, so the room was quiet as the video played for the two. They mainly saw the frames of fleeing civilians, who's expression of terrors were burned in the mind of the Clone Commander. The footage kept playing until the guard looked as if they hesitantly looked up into the distant skies. Then for a couple quick frames, the footage caught something that got the Clone and Jedi's attention. Mace paused it, and frame by frame rewinded the footage back. After a series of static frames, they caught the quick frame, and Mace was sure that this wasn't the doing of the Separatists.

Blurry, yet still plainly visible, a bulbous shaped ship in the distance. It wasn't a ship he was familiar with, and he's had his fair share of Galaxy traveling. This ship was clearly new in his eyes, new and very foreign. Yet that wasn't all, as there seemed to be a very bright beam of light protruding from the bottom of said ship. It was that bright light that caught his attention in the first place, and looking at it now, he realized what it was. A large beam of plasma. Instantly, Mace knew that it was that ship, and possibly many more like it, was responsible for the complete and utter destruction of Scipio.

"S-Sir?"

"I need to convene with the Council."

"It's not over, there's still a little more."

True enough there was still a little bit left of usable footage. Mace continued the video, most of it was still the same. Mainly static, and the three guards gesturing to the fleeing civilians where to go. Until almost the end of the entire footage, where a couple of non-static imagery was blurry, indicating quick movements of the one with the camera. The next time they could see clear images, the scene was in utter disarray. People were still running away, yet there were now dead bodies on the ground, and now there were only two guards. Next thing they see, was a close up image of one of the other guards, half their head was corroded with Plasma, it wasn't a pretty sight at all. The next series of visible footage looked like the camera wielder was running with the civilians, away from the position they held. The last visible frames showed how this story ended, a series of blurry images, and at the very last frame of the footage, where the footage ended yet the image remained for everyone in the room to see.

A tall unknown alien in ornate armor, split jaws. One hand on the security guard, the other holding a weapon that looked similar yet completely different to a Jedi's lightsaber.

The room was silent, they now saw the ones responsible for destroying Scipio. Something about how this alien looked just sent ripple effects in the entire room. It looked… so foreign, so unnatural. The unnaturalness coming from the image,the feeling everyone got when staring at the alien itself. It felt… wrong, like it wasn't supposed to be here, like it was disobeying the laws of nature by simply existing.

A chill ran down Mace's back, yet he remains as stoic as ever. He can feel it in the Force, there is a foreign entity in the body of the Galaxy. Staring at the alien he couldn't help but feel like there's a gap, like nothing is there. He immediately deduces that these aliens are a contradiction, and he didn't like it. The Force is sending him warning signals, he needs to do his duty.

He looked over at the communications officer who stared dumbly at the last picture. "Get me in contact with the Jedi Council and Republic High Command, we have to update them about Scipio and all our findings now." Afterwards, the Jedi immediately closed the screen, the image of the alien was gone.

The Officer shook out of his trance, but luckily heard the Jedi General's orders. "Yes sir!"

As they worked to contact their respective parties, a nagging thought appeared in the back of Mace Windu's head. Perhaps it was the Force, or some hidden intuition, but whatever it was, it told him to check the updates again from the Datapad. Quickly retrieving the pad, he scrolled through the reports, landing on the one that was scratching the back of his head.

The report was one of the recent ones, about the salvage and engineering teams on board a wrecked Venator. The report about missing droids and the ship's archive unit. Mace's eyes narrowed, this wasn't good news. Whoever these aliens are, they just got a plethora of new information.

These aliens now have a map of their entire Galaxy.

They now know where to strike next.

---

"Veronica!?"

"It's Captain Dare to you now." The female ONI operative handed the ODST squad leader a tablet, showing him her authorization to command his squad, and vague mission details. Including the fact that they now weren't attacking the carrier anymore.

"What? What the hell is this Veronica?" It wasn't until Sergeant Edward Buck looked back at his former lover that he realized she wasn't alone. Two individuals stood right behind her; one in what looks to be light robes and armored gauntlets, the other in full armor of unknown design, mainly white but with yellow outlines. "Who are they?"

"Need to know basis."

"That's their names?"

"You obviously haven't changed one bit."

It was at that moment that Obi-Wan decided to introduce himself. "Actually, my name is Obi-Wan, this trooper with me is Boil."

"Sir!" At the name, Boil saluted the group.

"Pleasure," Buck said with a nod, then examined the last minute additions to his team. He wondered if the bearded one is a civilian, and the armored one is his bodyguard of some sort. That or ONI had a strange interest in… 'make-believers.'

"So you're the team leader of the squad we're accompanying for this mission?" Obi-Wan asked the ODST sergeant.

Buck looked down at the tablet, then back at the Jedi, and shrugged in resignation. "Apparently."

"Enough chit chat, we need to head to the drop deck, we'll be deploying soon." Dare said, looking back at Buck with impatient eyes. Quickly getting the picture, he waved over to the group.

"Follow me." Leading the way, the ODST Sergeant started walking down the hallway towards the drop deck. While still looking ahead, he addressed the two VIPs. "You two have experience with drop pods?"

"Drop pods?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, while Boil just tilted his head a bit.

"Okay…" The VIPs' responses were unfortunately clear. "Veronica, can you give them a crash course?"

"I won't repeat myself, Sergeant." The ONI operative glared at the ODST, before falling a step behind to line up with the Jedi and Clone Trooper. "Hold on tight, don't pass out and don't vomit." With that done, she continued her stride right behind the ODST Sergeant.

"Congrats you two, you're both certified Helljumpers." With that said, an alarm sounded and yellow lights started flashing within the hallway. Buck gestured to the group to quickly follow him.

At the end of the hallway, the doors reveal the drop deck. A sizable room with a holographic table in the middle. Surrounding the table are the rest of the squad. Closest to them is an ODST with orange markings on his armor, the other two in the back have blue and red markings respectively. Obi-Wan scans the room, noting the strange foreign resemblance it has to Republic military structures. He has the idea that they are in a prep room, for soldiers to get ready for the mission ahead. Even though he is in a position that's slightly lower than the holographic table, he can easily see the holographic outlines of the space elevator, and the Covenant ship hovering above the city.

But what caught his attention the most, is at the back of the room. There are a bunch of open seats that clearly separate from one another. Looking a little closely, he can see one of their squad mates out of sight, resting before the fight ahead.

"You know the music. Time to dance." Buck rallied his men, or tried to.

The one in blue leaned over to the soldier next to him while looking at someone in particular. "Hello, beautiful."

She didn't look impressed, and neither did Buck. "Pods. Now." With the mission close to starting, the Squad walked off to gather weapons and equipment. Buck was about to join them when Dare stopped him.

"Replacements?"

The ODST looked back at her. "This many years into this war? Who isn't?" Looking back at the two behind her, he probed. "Who are they?"

"I'm not here to play twenty-questions Buck. They're additional support, that's all you need to know."

Frustrated, he shook his head. "You know all these secrets are the reason why we never worked out? And I need this mission to work." He stated with clear determination in his voice. The Jedi's eyebrows slightly raised at the implications of what the Sergeant had said. He couldn't help but remember a time when he had a significant other, how his war back home is what led to her death.

"Orders are orders." But Dare clapped back with her own cold demeanor. The Jedi couldn't help but remember Satine's 'Duchess' side of her. Just as authoritative as this Captain Dare's, but without the emotional undertone that Satine usually had. Dare was a military intelligence officer, Satine was the leader of her people. Two entirely different people with similar mannerisms the Jedi could pick up.

His only hope is that whatever is wrong with these two individuals, that they are able to mend it before they lose it forever.

'Don't make the same mistake I did.'

"Come on Veronica! What could be more important than that carrier?" Buck confronted her. But the Officer stood her ground.

"My orders." She stopped him with a single finger to his chest plate. "And Buck? Call me captain." She reminded him once more, to her clear annoyance. "I'll pass on that dance." She gestured to Obi-Wan to follow her. "But you can show us where to sit." With that, the Jedi followed her to the holographic table, with the Clone and the ODST sergeant still behind.

Buck looks up and just sighs. This whole situation has been nothing but a bundle of stress. Earth is under attack, he never thought he'd see the day, his old flame just hijacks his mission, and two civvies are joining them in this escapade. Speaking of civvies, he looks at the individual in white armor who's still next to him.

The white armored man just shrugged back at him. "Women, right?" Buck rolled his eyes and sighed again, seeing that this mission may be his longest yet. Looking back at the white armored man, he only now took account of his weapon.

"What kind of gun is that?"

"Gun?" Buck pointed at the Clone's DC-15S. "You mean blaster?"

"Blaster?"

The Clone was reminded of the fact that he was in a completely different galaxy. "It's my weapon."

The ODST sergeant raised an eyebrow. "Your weapon looks like a metal tube with a trigger." He turned around and gestured to the Clone to follow. "Come on, I'll give you something from the rack."

"Uh, no offense sir, but I am combat ready." Boil caught up right next to the ODST soldier.

"Trust me pal, you can never be overly prepared when it comes to fighting the Covenant." His tone hinted at the finality of his statement. Boil knew better than to speak out, especially against someone who has fought against the Covenant for much longer than he did. It was probably for the best that he heeded his warnings. Walking up to the awaiting Captain and Jedi, Buck took a quick glance at the bearded man and came to the same conclusion he made with the Jedi.

"I'll get you a gun too." The Sarge said as he passed by the Jedi.

"Uh… what was that sergeant?" Obi-Wan genuinely asked the OSDT, but he kept walking, with the Jedi just lagging behind the Captain.

"Second to last. Right next to mine. Wan, you're next to hers." Buck said the ONI Captain and Jedi.

"Actually, my name is-"

"And Boil, right? Anyways, your pod is right next to the Rookie's pod… who is currently asleep." Buck keeps walking and pointing out where each person's pod is, now noticing the Rookie fast asleep without picking up any weapon for himself. Buck just sighs once again.

"You gonna tell us what this is all about?" Buck asked the Clone trooper as the two separated from the ONI Captain and the Jedi. Unbeknownst to the ODST, Dare's keeping an ear out as well.

"All I know is that we're participating in an important mission, Spec Ops, don't worry sir, I've had my fair share of Special Operation missions. Especially under my General." Boil proudly said, aware that the ODST Sergeant was questioning him about things that even he wasn't fully aware about.

"Your General, huh? They fight alongside you?"

"Through almost every battle I've been a part in." To say Buck was a bit baffled, would be accurate. High ranking officers fighting alongside their soldiers are something that really only exists in ancient times, or the Covenant. It was always the Officers that you needed to be worried about.

"Must be a tough sonuvabitch."

"You can tell him that yourself." Boil pointed his thumb to Obi-wan's direction, causing Buck to do a double take.

"Wait, that guy's a general?" He looked at Boil, and at Obi-wan interchangeably. "Who the hell are you two?"

"Buck, that's enough, get the weapons and go!" Dare called out from near the pods, with Obi-Wan looking like the friend who got caught up in family drama. At the final warning Buck gives up and walks to join his men who were gathered around the weapons rack. That left the Clone just standing there awkwardly, right beside a sleeping ODST.

Blocking out the strange interactions, Obi-Wan looked at Buck. He understood where the Squad Leader's frustrations came from, he had a similar issue about the lack of transparency. All he knew was that this mission was important, important enough that he was separated from his 212th for this. Dare wasn't giving him any more details, even if he was the special guest here.

"I hate to sound annoying, but I too would like more clarification on our mission here. I understand classified information, but we're almost going into this mission blind, with you holding all the cards." There was a gentle neutrality in his voice, practiced from the many negotiations he had partaken in many different missions.

"Our mission is to drop into the city of New Mombasa, to retrieve some valuable assets." Much like Buck, Dare held her ground. The familiar annoyance the Jedi once felt with Satine slowly emerged.

"I know that, but why am I here? I doubt it's because of my skill with my weapon, but I have already told your agents that I am not anywhere near as capable as I was back where I came from." The interviews following their arrival on Earth were strenuous. Hours of debriefing and interviews with agents, scientists, and a variety of other specialists, all telling them the same story. From his capabilities in their Galaxy, to his current capabilities now, without the Force he was skilled with his lightsaber and intellect. But if there were to be a comparison, he'd be the martial artist sharing the room with soldiers trained to kill. He might as well be a civilian.

"Who said that was the only reason you were coming on this mission?" Before the Jedi could question her further, following that last comment, something lands on his chest. Barely catching it, Obi-Wan realizes it's one of the slugthrowers, or guns as they call it. Specifically, one that is similar to the one Dare is using. A pistol with an extended barrel, a handle guard, what appeared to be some sort of laser sight, Obi-Wan didn't know. Along with the 'gun,' came a belt with magazine pouches containing ammo for the weapon.

"Know how to use that?" Obi-Wan looks up to see that Buck is the one who gave him the weapon. Although he isn't a fan of weapons like these, he did use them in the past. But they were blasters, these are 'guns,' proper slugthrowers. There is a first time for everything, he's about to learn that.

"I have."

"Good." With that, Buck walked away and towards his pod. Everyone else followed his lead, including the sleeping ODST, who was now awake and alert. Looking to where Dare was, she gestured to him to get in the pod next to her, and then the situation finally sunk in for him. He looked at Boil to see him holding the same uniquely shaped rifle he found months ago while investigating Aayla's disappearance. It's also the same assault rifle Sergeant Buck has. But besides the weapons, the Clone looked as hesitant as he was himself.

Drop pod. He knew what's going to happen.

"Hurry!" Dare shouted, and with great reluctance the Master Jedi rushed to sit down in the pod.

With the pod closing him inside, it began to rotate, facing the opposite direction where he is met with the blast doors. Upon those doors opening, reveals other drop pods, and separating him from those drop pods is a clear uninterrupted view of the atmosphere below them. He now definitely knows what's going to happen.

In his pod, two screens light up with the helmeted pictures of Sergeant Buck and Captain Dare. Their visors are still clear so he can see the faces within.

"Latest intel reports Covenant troops are massing beneath the carrier." Dare started to explain more mission details.

"They're pulling back? Why?" Buck asked, while the pods locked into place with a slight shake. At this point, Obi-Wan's hands were becoming sweaty, he wasn't anticipating this at all. At the very least, all those happy landings he had courtesy of Anakin has better prepared him for the moment. The Jedi scoffed, it was one of the only good things that came from Anakin's famous crash landings.

"We're not going to find out all the way up here." Dare finishes as both their visors transition to opaque, ready for combat.

"Pucker up, Marines and guests alike! I sure as hell ain't hosing out your pods!" At that, the pods Obi-Wan was facing all began to detach, and with their thrusters on they began to soar down the planet below. "And to our first time droppers, hold on to your stomachs."

A soft beeping commenced, starting at four.

"General?"

Three.

"Just hold on Boil."

Two.

'By the force…'

One.

At one, the pod detaches and thrusts towards the ground below. The sudden G-force had taken him completely by surprise, as he realizes he has a death grip on the handle grips by either side of him. The pod is shaking to an almost sickening degree, and his times crashing with Anakin are more bearable than this. Even in his times taking an escape pod was better than this, although he attributes this to these pods being single seaters than the multi-seating escape pods he has been on.

"Obi-Wan, Boil, are you two alright?" Dare asked them both.

"So that's the name of our two guests huh?" Another ODST answered, but his screen wasn't appearing.

At that, the sound of coughing and gagging and coughing. Obi-Wan recognizes it is coming from his plus one. "Keep it inside, swallow it trooper. We're almost there." Buck comforted his Clone from the sickening journey to the surface.

After that, they passed by a destroyed Frigate. "I take it back. Navy got its butt kicked."

"Hey Romeo. Remember when I told you to shut your mouth?"

"Yeah?"

"Consider that a standing order."

At least the other soldiers were having fun, the Jedi Master tried to get some comfort from their team banter. But unfortunately, their humor couldn't keep his stomach bile from rising to his throat.

As the pods entered the cloud layer, Buck needed more directions. "Captain? Fifteen klicks off the deck." Passing through the cloud layer reveals the ruined city of New Mombasa, and the one responsible for its ruin. A massive Covenant carrier loomed over the city.

"Stand by to adjust trajectory. On my mark." Dare gave out instructions.

"What did she just say?"

"Mark!" Before any clarification, the pods with Alpha-Niner and guests all shifted their pods to the right, a course not aiming for the Covenant Carrier. Even with the sickness, Obi-Wan was coherent enough to notice the change in trajectory. He did know this was a special mission, he didn't know it was just this squad alone that would be participating in the mission. All the other ODSTs he saw being launched across from him were not their support.

"We're way off course!" Another ODST sounded off.

"We're heading exactly where we need to go." Dare reaffirms her command over the squad.

"But we're gonna miss the carrier!" The same ODST said, with the team realizing the different mission they're dropping into.

With that said, a pulse radiates through the carrier. Its lights flashes as something starts to form in front of the Covenant ship.

"Radiation!"

"Covenant just set off a nuke!?" Buck exclaims, but the all too familiar sight of a slipspace portal appears in front of the alien ship. Obi-Wan recognizes this all too well, how he first got to this Galaxy is something he will never forget.

"No. The Carrier's going to jump! It's a slip-space rupture! We have to-" As she spoke, the carrier did jump, leaving a massive ball of energy that is exploding out towards the rest of the city.

"EMP! Losing power!"

"Stabilize, then pop your chutes! We're going in hard!"

"Kenobi, Boil! I've got you covered!" Obi-Wan didn't even realize the chute of his pod had deployed, as he was focusing on the oncoming light quickly approaching him.

---

THE ROOKIE - 6 hours after drop

The Rookie didn't know how long he was out for, but estimated for a while, since it was now dark out. He didn't know whether the mission was still active, hell he didn't know what the mission was in the first place. All he knew was that they had additional support, which meant nothing now that they were all scattered across the city. He didn't even know if his own squad was even alive.

The only support he had now was the city's AI, the Superintendent. After taking out a couple patrols, the city lights brought his attention to a ringing phone, where the AI integrated something into his HUD. He could see strange symbols, but most importantly; the AI was leading him on a quest to find his squad.

Going through a building, the Rookie continues to follow the strange symbols left behind by who knows what. They could be hidden Covenant symbols that are in use to tag important landmarks or buildings. The Rookie isn't so sure, part of him is a little wary of following Covenant grafiti, but the AI helping him isn't sending him here without reason, right?

As if to answer him, opening a door leads him to a sizable courtyard. Right in the middle of the yard is a drop pod. Surrounding the pod is a group of Grunts trying to get it open. Immediately, the Rookie got work, raising his M7S, he fires. Taking two out, including the one trying to pry the pod open, and the one Grunt behind it.

There were four more left, with half of them panicking and running around, the other two returning fire. The Rookie began moving sideways at a steady pace, moving quick enough to avoid the plasma fire, but slow enough to maintain his accuracy. Eventually he does take out the two Grunts firing at him, and swiftly deals with the two running Grunts with his M6S Automag.

With the area secured, he turned his attention to the pod. Approaching it, he looked inside to see not the black armor he was accustomed to, but white armor. As a matter of fact the entire armor was different, then he recognized who was in the pod. It was one of their special guests, their additional support! Luckily, all ODSTs were trained on how to open pods from the outside, it was a specific procedure, so not anyone could open a sealed ODST pod.

Within a minute, the Rookie manages to open the pod, revealing a strange looking soldier with white armor, and yellow/orange outlines. Getting closer, he shakes the soldier, but nothing happens. Placing two fingers on his neck, and the Rookie easily feels his heartbeat. He's alive, and upon learning it, the Rookie takes the soldier's helmet off, revealing an unconscious face. He hopes his slap can wake him up.

It does.

"AARGH!" The soldier jumps out of the pod from instinct. Both tumble on the ground, with the soldier quickly getting up and getting into a fighting stance. The Rookie also gets up, but raises his hands in a calming gesture. "Where am I? Where's the general? Who ar- wait…" The soldier relaxes, putting his fists down and looking at the ODST. "You're the one who was sleeping on the deck, before the drop."

The Rookie nods and gives a small salute.

At that, the soldier completely relaxes and sighs in relief. "Good thing I'm not alone." He looks up and notices the dark sky. "How long have I been out?"

The ODST gave him a simple shrug.

"You don't know?"

He shakes his head.

"Okay then…" He looks behind the Rookie to see the pod he came out of. Approaching it, the soldier gathers his weapons and helmet. "What's the objective now? Is the mission still active?" He says as he takes an MA5C and some other weapon that looks… like something else he couldn't recognize. The soldier in white looks at both his weapons, and contemplates. "I can't carry both of these." He looks at the Rookie.

Understanding his plight, the Rookie gently takes the Soldier's UNSC assault rifle, and slaps it on the magnetic holster of his backpack. The soldier looks satisfied as he holds his other weapon proudly. The Rookie then taps on his helmet, specifically his visor, and points him towards the door in the other end of the courtyard.

The white armored soldier scans his environment before looking back at the ODST. "Are we being watched? Or are there enemies nearby? That's why you're not saying anything?"

The Rookie shakes his head.

"Then why aren't you saying anything?"

He shrugs.

"Are you mute?"

Head shakes.

"So why aren't you saying anything?"

Another shrug.

"Fantastic." This is going to be a long night. "What do I call you? Shrugs?"

His head shakes vehemently.

"Okay, what did the Sergeant call you again?" He thinks for a bit before snapping his fingers. "Rookie's pod! You're the Rookie."

At that, the Rookie nods, and gives another small salute.

The soldier extends a hand. "Names Boil, nice to meet you Rookie." The receiver shakes his hand. "So… Rookie, you're a shiny, eh?"

The ODST tilts his head in confusion.

Boil is once again reminded that he's in a different galaxy. "Oh, um… shiny, like shiny armor. Means you're new."

But the Rookie's head remained tilted.

One of the Clone's eyebrows lifts. "Were you assigned to a unit before Buck's?"

The Rookie nods.

"Oh, so you have experience in the field." He states more than he questions. Getting another nod, Boil nods as well. "Great, well… lead the way." He says as he finally puts his helmet on.

With that, the duo takes off into the building.

—[ 15 Minutes Later ]—

"Uh… Rookie?"

The duo just left the building, after finding Dare's helmet and seeing her pod just below them in Tayari Plaza. Walking out, with the Rookie leading the way, Boil is left just watching their surroundings. With him finding… directions.

The ODST looks to where the Clone trooper is pointing, noticing how the billboards, street lights, cars, crosswalks, etcetera; how it's all guiding them to a spot near Dare's crash pod. For the Rookie, he immediately realizes it's the city's AI, as he follows it with Boil left scratching his head.

"Wait! Is this a good idea!?" No answer as the Rookie keeps following the lights. Boil groans, "Ah, kriff it! Wait up!" Catching up, the Clone is greeted with the sound of telephones, tickets machines and billboards lighting up, guiding the ODST and the tailing Clone trooper. "Hey Rookie! What is this, who's doing this? Are they good?"

While following the lights, the Rookie turns back and gives Boil a thumbs up.

"Alright, that's good. At least we know we can trust… whoever's doing this." Boil nods as he examines all the flashing lights and sounds. "But who exactly is this?"

Without looking back, the ODST points at a screen on the wall, showing a mascot like face of the simplest design. A green circle as the face, and two white circles to serve as eyes.

"So we have a buddy."

The ODST nods as he reaches his destination, with the Clone standing next to him. Just at the side of Tayari Plaza is a ticket machine, almost endlessly spewing out tickets like there's no tomorrow.

"That's it?" The Clone almost said in an accusatory tone. But then the Rookie reaches down and taps on the screen. He raises a hand to the side of his helmet, and looks dead straight, like something caught his attention. He then points at the of his own helmet with an urging tone. "Okay…?" Not really knowing what to do, he just activates his comms. Upon doing so, Boil can now hear what the Rookie's listening to.

"... Damn it! He found me!..."

"... Scratch that… Hell just came here."

"Fine. Then I'll come to you."

"What was that?" Boil knew he just listened to a girl caught in the middle of a Covenant invasion. But what he was really asking was what was that, what was its significance? Why show them this?

Meanwhile the Rookie just stood there, thinking about what he just heard. Their thoughts were interrupted as they heard a passing Phantom coming close. All it took is for the Rookie to gesture to the Clone to move, and said Clone wordlessly follows. Into the city night.

—[ 7 Minutes later ]—

"Wonder what happened to this guy."

After walking through the streets of New Mombasa at a steady pace. They came across what's left of what appears to be an Elite. Except… what's left of the alien is nothing but blood, guts, and a stain on the street.

Crouching down, the Rookie examined the remains. In a mental note, he noticed by the looks of it, the Elite wasn't blown up or anything. More like blown down, like it was crushed down with such a force that it turned the Elite to paste.

Looking around, the ODST sees a few Covenant corpses, and begins to deduce…

---

KENOBI - NEW MOMBASA'S STREETS - Immediately after drop

Shaking, shaking, bumping, shaking, everything was shaking. Then he landed, the whole capsule shook but him. His crash seat made him stay in place, almost impossible to move. But it was for his protection, anything loose meant he could move around, meaning he could break bones or worse. But the feeling was jarring enough to make him nauseous.

Luckily everything now is still. Still as it can be, as even inside the pod, he could hear the distant chaos. A city on fire, a planetary battle, it all feels so similar to each other, but this time it's different. He's in another galaxy, he isn't the same man as before, fighting in various battles for the Republic.

Obi-Wan had to remind himself why he was here. All of this to hopefully get back home, to get reinforcements, to help this humanity fight against an enemy exceptionally strong and capable. They had an entire galaxy's worth of a military, and maybe this UNSC could help them in their struggle against the Separatists. The Jedi had to remind himself, because in the midst of all the politics, the wargaming and fighting, Obi-Wan's worst enemy isn't the Covenant, or the overbearing pressure of two wars in his mind.

Obi-Wan's worst threat was doubt. A third front was forming, and he didn't know if he could handle it.

"Sq-, wha- your st—? Y– –il with me, —?" At that, sparks flew towards the Jedi. He covered his face, before shaking his head.

"Blast it, of course the comms would break." He had to give the UNSC some compliments though. He was surprised communications worked for as long as it did after impact. Now he surveyed the pod he was stuck in. Good news was that the pod landed on the ground, bad news was that a civilian vehicle was in the way. It was partially caved in, as the pod landed on the edge of the vehicle. But still, it blocked him from escaping. Nothing from Captain Dare's crash course told him what to do if this ever happened. The labels inside the pod weren't helping either, they were in English, not Aurebesh!

But besides the labels, there were green lights blinking rather incessantly at him. Maybe the pod is aware of his situation, and is telling him what to do.

"Not like I have anything else in mind." Obi-Wan humored himself as he pressed the four green lights. At the last button, the hatch explosively blew away from the pod. The vehicle bocking the pod also flew back with the hatch, almost outright destroying it completely.

He was free, and the Jedi rather wombly stepped out from the pod. But upon his first steps, he stopped and hunched over, his hands rested on his knees. Glad to be back on solid ground. After a few moments he stood up straight, and examined his surroundings.

An empty street, vehicles littering the place like empty husks; debris, dust and paper flying with the wind. A light haze of blue lingers in the air, most likely residue from the explosion set off by the Covenant. It's an eerie feeling, seeing a street like this makes him remember the streets of Coruscant, how lively it usually is. But this street, a deep contrast.

With a broken communication device, and little to no details thanks to the Captain's sealed lips, Obi-Wan had no idea where to go.

That was until the lights around him started to flicker.

Billboards, crosswalks, even the vehicles themselves started to light up in his presence. Obi-Wan momentarily thought that by some miracle and through strange powers that affected nearby electronics, that his Force abilities somehow came back to him. That was immediately disproven when the surrounding electronics were lighting up in a way that was trying to guide him. He understood that someone was trying to guide him, or corral him.

With no sense of direction, and the knowledge of AIs in the UEG, he deduces that this is an AI trying to help him.

"You want me to follow you?" He tests the waters, hoping that it is an AI trying to help him.

With that the crosswalk nearby lit up. "Please walk, please walk…" A billboard that Obi-Wan recognizes as an evacuation sign beside his pod lit up with arrows guiding him to where he needed to go. "Please remain calm."

"I'll take that as a yes." The Jedi brushes his robes, and retrieves the lightsaber by his belt. "Thank you for helping me."

"Attention, traveler! Lost items can be claimed on… lower levels."

That got his attention. "Are you talking about me?" The crosswalk signal is 'walk.' "I am currently lost, so I am the lost item that you're talking about?" The crosswalk signal again is 'walk,' which Obi-Wan now considers to be a yes. "I need to go to these, lower levels?" The signal this time is 'not walk,' so no. "Then why did you say lower levels?" The billboard with the arrow and text just flashed nearby. "I guess I should just follow you."

"Please walk, please walk…"

With that said, he followed the flashing lights, sounds and usual city ambiance to his destination. Although the streets were desolate, he could hear the sounds of battle all through the city. A burst of a slugthrower/gun, an explosion, the flybys the UNSC fighters high above, and Covenant dropships spotted in the distance. Although everything was quiet on his end, the tension was high, and Obi-Wan had to contemplate how to fight without the Force by his side.

Obi-Wan knows he is a skilled fighter. Known throughout the Temple for being one of the best in the entire Order, it's his ability with his lightsaber and use of the Force in tandem that made him an almost lethal opponent. Now, in a galaxy of the extreme, he now needs to solely rely on his abilities with his lightsaber. A challenging position, but not impossible, he remembers a certain fight with a Zygerrian slave master.

He had to hold him off with only his bare fist, and hold him off he did with much difficulty. It was his Force abilities at the end of the day that saved him, but for now, he did have his lightsaber. He just hoped that would be enough to tip the scales to his favor, whatever he would encounter.

As if the universe wanted to see that happen, a road stop rose from the ground. A light above the Jedi was blinking red, and the AI was speaking to him. "TOLL ZONE, PLEASE SLOW DOWN."

"Pardon, what do you mean?"

"CONSTRUCTION AHEAD, PLEASE TURN BACK."

"Constru-" He knew that his walk in the park couldn't last forever. He heard footsteps, loud enough for the Jedi to realize whoever it was, they were heavy and wore armor. The street ahead rose in a small incline, before continuing. From out of an alley from the right, and stopping at the very top of the incline, is Obi-Wan's first real challenge.

Dressed in an white armor, he recognizes this Covenant soldier as a Sangheili, or as the UNSC nicknames them, Elites. They are difficult to kill, as not only are they well trained, but they also have shielding. Something like that is rarely available in their galaxy, as personal shielding is expensive, but every single Elite in the Covenant has shields.

The Elite in front of Obi-Wan stood still for a moment, before reaching for its weapon. On one thigh, the Jedi recognizes a ranged weapon on the thigh of his opponent. But the Elite is reaching for something on its other thigh, a grip of some sort. It isn't until the Elite activates the grip that Obi-Wan realizes that it's actually a hilt to an energy blade, much like his own lightsaber.

It was at that moment the Obi-Wan remembered the weapon Buck gave him, a pistol hidden on the back, along with the ammo pouches. He knew he was quick enough to draw it and take the first shot, but considering the Elite's shield, his own preference is currently being favored here. Considering the Elite knows Obi-Wan is currently holding his lightsaber, he decided to play on his own home field advantage. The Jedi knew he had more of a chance with his lightsaber.

As the Elite stands there with its ignited blade, Obi-Wan decides to showcase his own. With his lightsaber on hand, he ignites it and in one fell swoop he moves to his stance. His lightsaber rests just above the shoulders and close to his own head. While his other arm extends forward, two fingers point at the Elite, like he is challenging him into a duel.

His opponent has definitely noticed the weapon and the stance. It stands a little bit taller, almost like confidence is flowing through its body. Something about its demeanor makes it look like it is looking forward to the fight.

Obi-Wan got his answer, as it rushes towards him at a sprint. Reaching him in less than two seconds, it thrusts its blade towards the Jedi, hoping the two separated blades of its weapon would confuse him. But the Jedi just parries the weapon in its entirety, bouncing off his own weapon with the strangest sound he has ever heard. The clash between two weapons from different galaxies sounds like the most unnatural crash he has ever heard.

Obi-Wan tries to take a swipe after the parry, but the Elite is quicker, able to lock blades with the Jedi. That's when he could finally see the Elite up close. Fierce eyes with determination and ruthless cunning, he has only seen these kinds of eyes through another kind. Mandalorians. Only now he realizes the similarities between the two. Warrior cultures to their very heart, Obi-Wan knew this isn't going to be an easy fight.

The Jedi tried to kick the Elite away, ending their momentary deadlock, but his foot makes contact with its shield, and his opponent barely registers it. With a free hand it backhands the Jedi, making him go flying for a few feet. Obi-Wan couldn't get up immediately as he's forced to roll away from an overhead strike from his opponent.

Getting back on his feet is where the real fight began. The two cross their blades with one another, with Obi-Wan showcasing the true wonders of Form III, as his enemy is extremely relentless. Always attacking, almost leaving the Jedi no room for retaliation. Obi-Wan knew the Elites were masterclass when it came to fighting, it's a different story to learn it up close. It seems like the Elite matches Obi-Wan's skill level when it comes to its own fighting style. Obi-Wan is just as skilled in defense as his opponent's skill in offense, making this battle a test of endurance. To see how long each side could last in this relentless clash of blades.

He even tried to reach behind him and pull out the pistol, but with how relentless the Elite was, there was simply no time to draw it out. Considering how skillful the Elite was, any moment that wasn't being used to stay on the defensive was a window of opportunity for his opponent.

After a few minutes of the relentless assault, enough is enough, as Obi-Wan attempted to disarm his opponent. Catching the side of the energy blade with his own lightsaber, he attempted to disarm the Elite by moving it above the head, hoping the tip of his lightsaber would either catch the hilt of the weapon, or the Elite's hand.

But the Elite knew what the Jedi was trying to attempt. It tightened its grip on its weapon, making it almost immoveable for the Jedi, and once again with its free hand, struck him. Instead of flying back like before, Obi-Wan managed to tank the hit for the most part. But he did take a few steps back, recoiling to the pain.

After gasping from the hit, he stood up strong and readied for more. But before the Elite could potentially finish him…

A roar, a guttural monstrous roar rivaling that to a Rancor.

Looking above the street incline, where the Elite came from, is a sizable contingent of Covenant. Three Brutes with their own respective lances consisting of Grunts and Jackals. They all fired upon the both of them, and Obi-Wan rushed behind one of the ruined vehicles for cover. The Elite meanwhile pulled out its ranged weapon and attempted to fire back. Obi-Wan realized why it didn't use that against him, only a few shots and the weapon stopped firing, and the Elite threw it away.

With its shields flaring, the Elite ran for cover. But before it could reach for cover, the same thunderous roar came from the cluster of Covenant forces. Looking over his cover, a massive Brute in heavy armor, hefting an equally massive hammer, came down onto the Elite, who readied for the attack with its draw energy blade. But before it had the reach for the Brute, the hammer came crashing down right on top of the Elite.

Blood, gore and what's left of its armor exploded all around the place, with Obi-Wan taking cover from such a powerful strike. The ground shook as the hammer landed on the poor Elite, following that a thunderous impact as if a fighter just broke the sound barrier.

Looking back up, there's nothing left of the Elite, with the Brute standing there proudly. "Oh no…" It turns to face Obi-Wan, once again it roars, pointing at the Jedi who now realizes he is outnumbered and outgunned. A flurry of plasma rains down on him as he runs the opposite way, with the electronics of the city buzzing at him, trying to get his attention.

"Where should I go!?" Obi-Wan shouted as he was chased by a fast Chieftain. The cars, sidewalk, billboards, information boards, city lights, anything under the AI's control is blinking, beeping at him to follow a certain direction.

"CAUTION TRAVELER, CAUTION!"

"PLEASE REMAIN CALM!"

"YOU ARE SLOWING TRAFFIC, PLEASE SPEED UP!"

"I understand! Just tell me where I need to go!" Obi-Wan exclaimed, barely avoided a green ball of plasma that nearly landed on his legs. He could feel the heat, but the adrenaline prevented him from feeling the pain.

Then the billboards and the crosswalk lights urged him to take a left, but then their screen blacks out as if they were off. Taking a left into an alleyway, a series of screens and billboards follows the same pattern. A split-second notification until turning off. Obi-Wan follows the screens, taking so many turns to lose his tail, until one screen points him to a door that unlocks as he approaches.

Entering, the door then locks, and he leans onto the adjacent wall, sliding down to catch a breath. A few moments later, the sound of many footsteps passes by the door; a few large and loud steps, following a few small pitter patter of the smaller Covenant forces. Seconds tick by before they sound like they passed him completely.

Obi-Wan just sat there, panting. "I don't know if you can hear me. But you have my thanks."

"Thank you for your cooperation! Have a pleasant day!" That sounded too final.

"I could still use some assistance. I am rather lost in this city of yours." In response, the door unlocks. Steadily getting back up, Obi-Wan exits back outside to an empty alleyway. But strangely enough no screens or indication that his AI friend is helping. Retracing his steps back into the streets reveals the ever desolate cityscape of New Mombasa, as empty as he first entered it.

"Kenobi!" Turning around and drawing his pistol, he luckily finds the familiar face of a Captain. Relaxing, he puts his gun down.

"Glad to know you're doing. How did you find me?"

"I was tracking your pod, then I just followed the Covenant squads that were chasing you." Dare said bluntly, while checking their surroundings before looking back at the Jedi. "Luckily you hid."

"I had some help."

That piqued her attention. "Really, who?"

"The city's AI, it helped me get around the city."

"The Superintendent? Interesting…" Captain Dare had this knowing look that Obi-Wan picked up. But before he could say anything. "Let's get a move on, we're wasting time." With that, she rushes off down the street where she came from.

Sighing, Obi-Wan follows behind the ONI captain, while wondering what else lies before them.

---

"So, are you always like this? With your squadmates and your previous unit? Just… no talking?"

Boil and the Rookie continue to scour the city, heading for the next marker that only the ODST knew where. The city is quiet, with the occasional Covenant encounter, but they're just mainly Grunt patrols, and the occasional Jackal. They mainly make their way through the city with stealth. Choosing when the attack, and when not to, less they want to attract the Covenant horde. But even if they did, the response should be reasonable, and fleeing is always an option.

Boil's weapon gets the Rookie's attention, with said ODST looking directly at him. Under his gaze, he could feel his curiosity, and slight judgment. But strangely enough the Rookie never questions him about it. He really is the quiet type, and Boil isn't too sure about it.

With much downtime, came conversation. Well… partial conversation, the other did communicate, but with gestures and body language.

At the question, the Rookie just tilts his hand from side-to-side quickly. 'Meh.'

"So how do you communicate with your mates?" Boil asks, eyeing the ODST like he did to him earlier.

The Rookie then makes a series of hand signals, a lot of them Boil surprisingly recognizes.

"But how about outside of the field? Back in base, at break, just when you're not in combat?"

His partner turns around to face him, and just does his typical shrug. Then he does a sleeping gesture.

"Makes sense, considering how I first saw you." Still, he wanted to ask the hard questions. "But… Why don't you talk? You say, well… not really say, but you did confirm that you're not a mute. What's the deal with that?"

The Rookie just rubbed the back of his neck, wondering how he should explain this. So he just shook both his hands around each other, hoping the Clone would understand what he's trying to convey.

It took awhile for Boil to identify what the gesture meant, and a few tries. "It's… jumbled?"

The Rookie made the 'continue' gesture.

"It's, um… messy?"

He nods but still urges him to continue.

"It's complicated!"

Two thumbs up.

"By the Force… conversations with you are just twenty questions at this point."

He shrugs.

"So it's complicated, huh? Why is that? Bad memory, trauma?"

At that, the Rookie looked rather uncomfortable. His head turned downwards, like he's avoiding the Clone's gaze.

"Oh, touchy subject?"

The ODST looks back at him and gives a small nod.

"I get that, we all have those. We're all soldiers right? We never leave without a few scars, apparent or not." The Rookie just nods once again, accepting what the Clone had stated.

There was a lull in the conversation after that, one that Boil wanted to break. They did continue walking at the same steady pace as they were going in. He felt kind of bad for broaching the topic, it's not like he knew. But he did want to lift his partner's spirit.

"Hey listen," The ODST looks back at the Clone. "I got your back, alright? Like I said earlier, we're soldiers. Fighting for the same thing, no matter what I have your back, you got that." Visibly, the Rookie stood a little straighter. That alone got Boil to grin a bit, knowing his words had an impact. "And you have my back too right? I can trust you to be either right by my side, or just right behind me?"

At that, the Rookie responds by taking Boil's hand into a Predator Handshake.

At that, Boil chuckles. "Looks like it." They let go, with the air between them more friendlier now. "Looks like I have to keep an eye on you. Because, well… you don't talk or make sounds."

With another common gesture, the ODST tilts his head. To respond back to the Clone trooper, he knocks on the side of his helmet.

"Yeah, and by the end of this mission, you have a concussion from just knocking on the side of your helmet. All because of all the times you 'had to get my attention…'" Boil scoffs at the idea.

The Rookie places a finger right under where his mouth should be, he's thinking, before getting an idea. He claps.

"With that, you'll be talking with the Covenant as well."

He whistles.

"I wonder if the Covenant likes singing."

He whistles quieter.

"I guess we'll work on it. Come on, where's the next marker?"

—[ 12 Minutes later ]—

"Looks like our buddy is trying to talk to us again."

Once again, the Superintendent, or Vergil as it likes to be called, guides them with any available piece of technology around them. Following it this time leads to a terminal near a wrecked police car. With Boil activating his comms, the Rookie taps on the screen, and both continue where the story left off.

" I'd like to take you somewhere much more… private."

"Commissioner, I'm taking the car."

"Thanks for saving me for like, three minutes!"

"That is… messed up." Boil had stronger words, the only thing reining him in is the fact that the girl was saved. Only to be left again.

The ODST nods in agreement. He looks at the wrecked police car, before taking a piece of rubble and throwing it at the cruiser. It bounces off with a thud before landing on the ground.

"I know something like this would make people… opportunistic, but by the Force. You'd think something like the Covenant would bring people together, not make them exploit it." Boil shakes his head. "I gotta stop thinking about this, where's our marker Rookie?"

But before he could answer, once again more lights and tech started showing another path. This time the Vergil led them to the interior of what used to be a restaurant. Now what was left of it, is turned up tables, chairs, trays everywhere and almost every scrap of food looted. The lights led them to an ordering kiosk, as it lit up with their presence.

One tap and Sadie's story continues.

"Get your kebabs here!"

"The end of the world is nothing to face… on an empty stomach!"

"I'm not crying… I'm not."

"Don't get me wrong, it's sad that this girl couldn't save this man. But what's the point of listening to this? What does this have to do with our mission right now? Why are we even following this?" Boil complains. For him this story has been nothing but a side track, more context to their situation than was necessary. He didn't want to know how the people suffered, he just wanted to stop the suffering.

As if to answer, a billboard lit up with a warning for traffic.

"Reminder to all drivers; use your mirrors! Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear!"

The Rookie points at the billboard with some hesitancy, even he doesn't know why they're listening to these logs.

"I don't even know what that means!" Boil says in exasperation. Not knowing how to answer, the Rookie just 'tells' him to follow. "Yeah, yeah… rant over lets get back to work."

—[ 9 Minutes later ]—

Boil almost slips.

"Whoa! What the… wait a second. Hey Rookie, stop!" The ODST does and looks back at his Clone companion. Boil is crouching down, examining the object he almost slips on and picks it up. Even though the Rookie couldn't tell, recognition flows through the Clone. "I know what this is!" He shows it to the ODST.

It looks like a spent magazine, a small rectangle that fits in a slot.

"It's a power pack! We use these to power our blasters!" Boil exclaims, looking at the object in detail. "It's damaged, but clearly it was used. So that means… my guys." He looks at the Rookie. "My men, soldiers like me! They were here, in the city!" Then he looks around, scanning his surroundings.

"But where did they go?"

---

DUTCH - UPLIFT NATURE RESERVE - 30 minutes after drop

Dutch looks up to see UNSC CAS flying into the city. A mixture of mainly drones, some fighters, and other support crafts for the various units still fighting in the city. From what he's heard, the Covenant has specifically chosen to attack New Mombasa the most, as the bulk of what was in the carrier is largely in this city.

Sure there were scattered reports of Covenant forces in places like London and Sydney, but for some reason a good chunk of the fleet was interested in New Mombasa, or at least the surrounding area.

Said drones flew just overhead, passing him by as he put his helmet on. "Good hunting boys… I'm keeping my boots on th- whoa…'' Said whoa came from a number of Pelicans and unknown dropships coming from offshore. There were six of those dropships, four of which had compartments for what looks to be for troops. The other two carried what looked strangely like walking beatle mechs, cause all Dutch could really see are six mechanical legs. It almost looks like a human attempt at a Scarab, but downscaled considerably. The Pelicans and unknown dropships attempted to land just over the hill when they were immediately met with Covenant fire.

With those ships pulling back and circling around, Dutch rushes towards the path leading into the reserve itself. He enters a clearing with a tip over Warthog, and a squad of Marines taking cover by it and the surrounding rocks. One of the Marines notices the ODST.

"Trooper, over here! Help us secure the LZ!"

Confirming that those ships were truly friendly, Dutch went to work. As some of the Marines provide covering fire, and some work on flipping the Warthog back upright, he assaults the two Covenant lances head on. Throwing a couple grenades to disorientate the Grunts and to damage their Brute leaders. Following that up with his M7S SMG, finishing the Grunts and getting rid of the Brute's armor. Getting up close he butts the ape with the stock of his weapon and it immediately succumbs to battle. The next lance lays suppressing fire on the ODST, forcing Dutch to take cover behind the rocks. But the Marines manage to wipe the floor with the M41 Vulcan from the back of the right-side-up Warthog.

Getting out of cover, Dutch quickly approached the group of Marines. "What's the situation?"

"Our CO needs us to clear this sector, in order to serve as an LZ for those ships." The Marine pointed at where those ships went after taking fire.

Dutch nodded. "Alright, let's get to it then." With that said, the ODST climbed aboard the driver's seat of the Warthog, with volunteers taking up shotgun and the gun in the back. Stepping on the pedal all the way, the Hog accelerated towards battle. Dutch looked at the Marine riding shotgun who was eyeing the Spartan Laser sitting comfortably between the ODST and the seat. "Know how to use it?" He asked the Marine.

"Used Jackhammers before, should be the same thing right?" The Marine replied with a hint of cockiness.

"Just hold down the trigger and make sure you know what you're aiming at."

"Got it."

"Then by all means, take it!" Dutch exclaimed as he drove around like a mad lad, circling a Ghost while the gunner was pelting it with bullets until it exploded. Drifting around to face the Wraith, said tank fires a shot and Dutch makes a break for it.

"Keep moving! Don't let that Wraith take a shot at us!"

"I know, I was waiting for the gap!" Dutch exclaims at the gunner as the plasma ball lands just right behind them.

"Swing behind the Wraith! It's got less armor in the back!" His shotgun passage yells as he aims for the Covenant tank.

"Doesn't matter! It's a one shot, so just take the shot!" Said Wraith attempted to charge them like a bull, with Dutch turning just at the right moment, nearly getting hit by it. By the time they steered clear of the tank, was when the Marine fired the laser. Instantly in blue flames the Wraith gets destroyed.

Dutch stops the Warthog, thinking the sector's been cleared. Looking around, he just noticed other Warthogs clearing out the rest of the infantry and a few more Ghosts. His reverie was interrupted when his passenger started kicking his arm.

"Drive, drive, DRIVE!" Without thinking, he stomps onto the pedal, barely missing a collision course with a Brute Chopper. Right behind said chopper was another Wraith. Overhead a Phantom comes flying in, its plasma cannon raining down heat on them. As its swerves around in the sky, it's finally picks a place to unload it's contingent of Covenant troops

Using his comms to the local net, "Whoever's riding around in a manned Warthog, take out the Covies who just landed. Leave the others to us." Dutch then looks at his occupants. "You boys know what to do." Pressing down on the accelerator, he drives like crazy, with his gunner focusing on the chopper and his passenger taking aim at the Wraith.

His back gunner doesn't entirely take out the Chopper, instead he manages to take out the Brute riding the Chopper itself. With a small flash of its armor popping off like Elite shields, and some damage to the vehicle itself, the driver of the Chopper is taken out as the Brute falls onto the ground, bullet ridden. The crazy driving doesn't stop as Dutch misses another ramming attempt by the Wraith, getting its attention so it doesn't shoot other Marines in the sector. With the Chopper gone they're able to sit still long enough for the passenger to charge up the Laser and destroy the hover tank. In a short time both targets were gone, with Dutch hitting the brakes and stopping beside the group of Marines he found earlier.

The one who informed him about the situation got in touch with their CO. "Colonel! Sector's clear, tell them they can land. And we also found some more backup as well."

"Say again, Marine? I got drones overhead and ONI brass yellin' in my ear!"

This time, Dutch decides to introduce himself. "ODST reporting for duty, sir!"

"Nice of you to drop in, Trooper. ONI and UNSC HighCom are telling me we have reinforcements coming in. Drones are workin' overtime making sure the airspace is clear enough for them to deploy. I need you and whatever Marines you have in the Sector to make sure these guys feel welcomed. Then as soon as you're able, I need you all to head to my Second Platoon's location, they're taking heavy casualties, need immediate assistance."

As the colonel finished speaking, said dropships appears once more, this time able to properly land and disembark. The dropships carrying the strange walking tanks deploy said tanks, and Dutch is left wondering who these people are. It isn't until he sees the first ship open its doors to see a strangely familiar group of soldiers. They start getting out while also unloading some supply boxes and other equipment.

"Roger that, I'll work quickly." Dutch replies back to the Colonel. With no more questions, he hops off the Warthog, and approaches the group of white armored soldiers. One of them notices the ODST approaching, and walks up to him. "I need to talk to whoever's in charge."

The soldier nods, a hand resting on the side of his helmet, like he's communicating to someone. Eventually the soldier points to another dropship that's landing. Once it lands, more soldiers disembark, and does a unique looking variant, this time with a visor, antenna on both his helmet and shoulder pad. This one looks around before seeing the ODST, and starts marching towards him.

Dutch meets him half-way, with the white armored soldier giving him a salute. "Commander Cody, 212th Attack Battalion at your service. Are you the Colonel we were told to rendezvous with?"

The ODST shakes his head. "Negative, the Colonel is somewhere further in the reserve. But I was given orders to help you guys get set up before we move to Second Platoon's position, they're getting hammered."

"Copy that, we just need to get our crews to man the Walkers before we're good to go." Cody drops the salute and points to the beatle-like tanks that are apparently called Walkers.

"Walkers, huh? First time I've ever seen something like that." Dutch comments as he watches a gunner climb to the top of the walker, manning the heavy cannon above it. "As a matter of fact, this is the first time I've seen anything the likes of you, what are you?"

The commander hesitates, knowing that their origin needs to be kept secret. Which is something the Clone doesn't completely understand, you'd think you would spill the details knowing its all or nothing. But this ONI plays conservatively, keeping whatever secrets they had to the grave. If that's the case, Cody shivers at whatever more skeletons are left in their closets.

"They're experimental. From our tanks to our equipment, they're sparing no expense." Cody dodges, which is luckily enough for the ODST.

"We're getting that desperate, huh? Shit's getting worse by the hour." Dutch mutters the last sentence, but Cody picks up on it and frowns underneath his helmet. He couldn't imagine Coruscant, or worse Kamino being under attack, and losing as well. It'd be disheartening and a blow to morale, but at the same time it could also have an opposite effect; lead to vengeful or inspired soldiers.

But with enough contemplation, Cody returns to the objective in hand. "I need to link up with the Colonel."

"I know, so do I. Are your men good to go?" Dutch and Cody look at the assembling Company, seeing some men mount the cannon on top of the Walkers.

Cody looks around to see his men sorted into their squads, all of them centered around the AT-TEs. "They look just about done."

"How fast do those walkers go?"

"Top speed is at 60 klicks per hour. It depends on the terrain." The Commander informs Dutch, but he's not too impressed. Scorpion tanks can definitely go faster than sixty, but speed comes at the price of armor and fire power.

"Okay, how armored is it? Firepower?" Back in their galaxy, the Walkers can perform well in their roles. Against the Covenant?

Cody hesitates to answer. "Against the Covenant? I guess we'll find out." He needs to stay realistic, as much as he wants to tout the GAR's might, he just doesn't know against the Covenant. The Clone commander couldn't help but remember Umbara, where the locals had incredible technology that made the fight against them incredibly difficult and casualty-inducing. He just hopes the UNSC can provide the support needed to help them withstand the Covenant.

"Shit…" Dutch thinks, with only really one realistic plan he could count on. "Alright, here's what we can do. I have a bunch of Warthogs that are faster than your Walkers. We'll clear the path to Second Platoon, and I'm counting on you and your guys to arrive asap, understood?"

"Asap?"

"As soon as possible."

Cody thinks over the plan, the only downside to it was any incursion from the air. From enemy fighters to dropships, they'll be exposed and his men had little to no anti-air capabilities. They didn't even know how to operate UNSC gear, they were stuck using whatever survived their arrival.

"Any attack from the air will be effective against my men. Unless they're slow moving enough for my Walkers to get a good shot at them" Cody addresses the problem.

But luckily Dutch relieves him, for the most part. "Our drones are at the very least keeping the air contested. And if they do attack, yeah they can be a bit slow for more accuracy, you guys have a shot. But hopefully, you'll be clear until you rendezvous with us." Cody takes a moment to run down the plan in his head. The way should be relatively clear, skies should also be clear, if not at least they can hold them off at least, any leftovers his men and the AT-TE's can take care of. Actually, there's only one thing that needs clarity.

"Just realized I didn't catch your name."

At that, the ODST's visor is cleared, and a friendly face is shown. "Just call me Dutch."

"Alright Dutch, sounds like a plan."

— [20 minutes later]—

Dutch just got here ten minutes prior, and already Second Platoon's taking a massive beating. There's two Wraiths hiding behind a hill, with said hill in complete Covenant control. Shade turrets, a lookout tower, and a fuckton of Brutes, Grunts, and Jackals. Second Platoon took cover in the main visitor center, occasionally peeking out of cover to take pot shots at the Covenant, but often getting picked off by snipers. It wasn't a favorable position, with the Warthogs too busy keeping the Choppers, and Ghost's attention, as well as keeping the Covenant forces on top of that hill. While the Covenant has fire power, right now they have mobility, speed and flexibility, enough to at the very least keep the Covies at bay.

"We can't stay here any longer! We're sitting ducks!" The Platoon Sergeant beside Dutch exclaimed, he's the commanding officer of the group after the Platoon leader was killed in the beginning of the fight.

He was right, something had to change before the Covenant rolled over them with their Wraiths. "What happened to your snipers!?" Dutch shouted over the cacophony of explosions, shouting, roaring engines, guns and plasma fire.

The Platoon Sergeant raised his hand to the side of his helmet, getting updates from their medics in the building. "Out of the battle, Trooper! Got incapacitated from a Jackal sniper!"

"Give me their sniper! I can counter snipe and take out their Shades! As long as I have some covering fire!"

"You got it Sir! Give me covering fire so I high tail it to them!" Dutch nodded, and looked at the other Marines taking cover. They all were looking at them, waiting for orders, anything that can end this fight in their favor.

"On my mark!" Dutch readied the Battle Rifle in his hands, he long switched from his M7S to an unused Battle Rifle. The other Marines nodded, looking ready and hopeful that this would be the turning point. "Cover fire!"

They all stood from their covers and laid down a hail of bullets to the Covies. A few of them were immediately taken out as soon as they got out of cover, and as they laid down their fire, a few more were unfortunately taken out. But it got the job done, as the Platoon Sergeant raced down the stairs and into the building. Not a minute went by as the Sergeant returned with the big rifle.

"Cover fire!" Again, they sprang out of cover to draw attention of the Covies. Luckily only a couple got wounded from Plasma fire. One of them was the Platoon Sergeant.

Roaring in pain, the Sergeant went down, with the sniper sliding all the way to Dutch's feet. The ODST quickly acts to get the Sergeant close to cover. Looking at the other Marines, he barks orders at them.

"Get biofoam on him now! And take pot shots at the Covies, get them off me while I take them out." The Marines nodded and got to work. With Dutch obtaining the Sniper, and running further back on the roof where hopefully he'll be harder to find, and even harder to hit.

Sliding over a crate, he uses it as cover and a platform for the tripod of his sniper. Lining his shots up, he manages to pick off the Jackal snipers one by one. After that, he takes out the Grunts and Brutes manning the Shades, by the looks of it the Covies are hesitant to man the turrets after seeing their own being taken out.

But of course, Dutch's handiwork doesn't go unnoticed. While lining up a shot on a Brute, Dutch sees it pointing specifically at him. Pulling the trigger at its head makes it go flying back. But as it did, a massive ball of plasma shoots out from behind the hill, right behind the Brute Dutch just shot. It came from a Wraith, aiming for him. Seeing the ball of plasma coming, Dutch drops the rifle and jumps off the building. Just in time for the explosive plasma to land on his position.

Landing hard on the ground, his equipment scatters everywhere, including his Spartan laser. Before he could think of retrieving them, Dutch heard the roar of a Chopper's engine. Turning just in time to see the Brute vehicle speeding right towards him. But like the Lord is looking out for him, before the ODST could react to the sight, a sizable bolt of blue hits the Chopper, with it exploding into pieces. It looks like the Chopper got hit with a shot from a Scorpion. Looking at where the shot came from, Dutch couldn't help but smile.

It's their reinforcements in white and walking tanks, with said tanks just saving his ass from becoming paste. Alongside the tanks, a storm of smaller blue bolts start firing at the Covenants. All the soldiers are using energy weapons, much like the Covies, all of them aiming at said Covies. For Dutch, it's a sight to see.

Before he could admire their reinforcements, a Warthog with an empty passenger seat drove up to the ODST. "Need a lift?" The Marines ask.

Nodding, said ODST gathered his belongings, including his Spartan Laser, climbed aboard the Warthog, and zoomed towards the Covies. Ahead of them, one of the Wraiths hovered out of cover, and directly aims at them. Dutch charges his Spartan Laser, but before it can fully charge, a shot from each of those walking tanks hits the Wraith, taking it out completely.

Dutch withholds the shot until they get a clear view of the second Wraith. Turning the corner, he sees the second Wraith, completely focusing on the new arrivals. This gives him enough time to charge his Spartan Laser, and fire, completely decimating it. With that done, all that's left to do is mopping up the rest of the Covies. With the walking tanks clearing the hill, Dutch orders the driver to drive up next to Commander Cody.

"What took you so long?" Dutch asks as he hops off the Warthog, and walks to the commander.

"Terrain was tricky, there were a lot of slopes that slowed us down. We got here as quickly as we could." Cody professionally surmised.

"I don't doubt it, at least you got here when you did." The ODST released a breath of relief. It was a hard fight won, with many casualties to Second Platoon.

As he said that, the Platoon Sergeant came to view, marching straight for them. "Whoever you are, thank God you came." He told Cody.

The Commander nods. "You're the one in charge of Second Platoon?"

The Marine salutes him. "Platoon Sergeant of Second Platoon, who are you?"

Before Cody could reply, Dutch answered for him. "Reinforcements from ONI, I think that's all that needs to be said."

"You got that right." The Platoon Sergeant shivers, before recomposing himself. "Either way, thanks for your hel-"

A loud snapping noise comes from far and above. Everyone looks up to see the Space Elevator that's still somehow standing, imploding in several sections due to the damage from the Covenant Carrier. Pieces of it come crashing down nearby as it starts to collapse.

"Look, the elevator! INCOMING!" A Marine in comms shouted, as pieces of debris came flying everywhere. As the elevator comes crashing down, the whole ground shakes as it hits. It knocks some soldiers and Marines down, while most could just stand on the shaking ground.

When the ground stops shaking, Dutch looks at the devastation, seeing the elevator gone from the skyline. Looking at where it's falling, he looks wide-eyed to see the elevator still falling, landing on the ground of the desert outside the city. For the ODST, it's a sight ingrained in his mind.

"What the hell just happened?" The ODST looks back into the city, catching a glimpse of a Phantom carrying something underneath its hull.

"Slipspace rupture! Must've weakened the support rings!" The same Marine earlier on comms responded.

"All units," a cough can be heard, and Dutch recognizes it as the Colonel. " Target assets are… on the move. We need to head to the ONI site," another round of coughing from the Colonel, it's clear he's not going to make it. "To destroy…" Silence.

"Colonel? Sir? Damn it, he's gone. All units, we need to regroup and head to the ONI site in the city now!" The Marine exclaims over in comms.

"Damn it, I've got too much wounded in my hands. Second Platoon can't make it to the city." The Platoon Sergeant lets out a frustrated sigh.

"You can load your wounded inside out walkers. By the looks of it, we need every soldier we can get to this site." Cody says, with relief washing over the Sergeant as he runs into the Visitors Center to start the process.

Leaving the two, Dutch and Cody look at each. "Battle's just getting started, you ready?" The ODST asked.

Cody knew this war won't be like any other conflict he was a part of back in his Galaxy. There was a level of secrecy that was downright unnecessary, something that caused frustration to well-up underneath the Clone. On top of that, Covenant was one the most fearsome enemy he has ever fought. Their weapons, equipment and vehicles were just as brutal as their tactics and overall ferocity. It was going to be a long day, Cody knew that for sure.

"As ready as we'll ever be."

---

Unless war has somehow deeply rooted itself into someone, 'serene' and 'war' should not fit in the same sentence. Yet that's exactly what Boil strangely felt. There was something about the empty streets, the soft pitter patter of the rain, and the soft hue of orange highlighting the night sky. What helped with the atmosphere was the duo passing by a ruined music store, playing the most oddly relaxing music that benefited from their surroundings. It was a strange, nostalgic feeling that was unexpected, but at the very least it did pleasantly surprise the Clone.

The lights occasionally blinking at them, the empty streets devoid of both human and Covenant life, and the company, the Rookie. The longer they walk the streets, the feeling grows. It's strange, he knew he shouldn't really be feeling this. Like he said, they are in the middle of an extremely destructive war, they should be on alert at all times. Yet, something in the air allows the Clone to just loosen his shoulders. Boil pleasantly scoffs at the situation.

At the scoff, the Rookie turns to him, with a glance that Boil somehow recognizes. "I'm fine, it's just… weirdly calming, you know?"

The Rookie nodded, agreeing with the atmosphere. Wartorn, and practically behind enemy lines, there was a feeling in the air. Relaxed, serene, nostalgic, it reminded the Rookie of simpler times. Before the invasion, hell before his life centered around killing Covies, it was a simple life for him. Walking down the streets at night, in a city that never slept. It was surreal, as surreal as their current predicament.

"When things calm down, remind me to go to that store and find that music that was playing earlier. I want to listen to it back in Kamino, in the rain. That'll be something." Boil says to himself, but the Rookie manages to hear. He looks back at Boil, with the Clone realizing his slip up. "Um… you know Kamino? Right? Do you know all of the… um… colonies in the, uh…"

Luckily the Rookie shakes his head, not knowing all of the colonies within the UNSC.

"Oh uh, well… Kamino rains. Like a lot." Boil looks up in the sky, with the rain softly pelting his helmet. "Kind of reminds me of home."

A feeling of homesickness drenches the Clone, realizing he's in a different Galaxy altogether. The thought of dying far away from home makes him aware of his position. Even though he's a Clone Trooper, and dying is something that can happen, the thought of dying not even in his own galaxy makes him slightly sick.

Then his thoughts return to the rain, the city around him, the odd tranquil atmosphere. 'Is this me accepting my fate?' It's a disturbing idea for the Clone, one that probably made a bit too much sense for him. The almost calming scene of the city is a subtle thought, a thought of him accepting that he's probably not returning home. Either he'll not even die in his own galaxy, but in one that's extremely far away, in a war that isn't his. Or he's practically stranded in another galaxy, just purely unable to return home.

'Wouldn't that mean this war is technically mine? A war he needs to fight if he's just stranded here? Is the atmosphere around him supposed to be the galaxy trying to welcome him to his new home? Or bring him peace before his own death? Such is war, where fates are undecided until a roll of the dice means you're picked off by a sniper.'

Clones are often unlucky, he's seen it himself. Years of training, nowadays months of training, all down the drain when their Gunship is shot down. Outside of their own control, their training couldn't factor in everything. Sometimes a Clone is just unlucky, their deaths outside their control.

'Waxer… were you unlucky? Am I just as unlucky as you were? Fate can be cruel…'

Luckily the feeling didn't last long, as he felt a comforting hand resting on his shoulder. Looking up, he sees the Rookie patting him on his shoulder.

"I'm good, just thinking. Don't worry 'bout me."

The ODST nodded, and took point for the both of them.

The feeling didn't go away for the Clone, it lingers in the back of his mind. Compartmentalize, otherwise the weight of the Galaxy came crashing down on his shoulders. A burden he couldn't carry. Instead, he looks to the bright side; he's not alone, far from it. From their 'buddy' directing them around the city to certain spots where they learn of a story about a girl. To the Rookie, ever so silent, yet he's a great listener. Oddly enough, even though he doesn't talk, something about him made the Clone feel… comfortable. Even if he's ever truly alone, the silence will remind him of the ODST, always watching his back, even if it doesn't sound like it.

"Hey Rookie?"

The Shock Trooper looks back at him.

The Clone Trooper walks up to him, and gives him a soft hit on the arm. "Thanks for having my back."

Even though Boil couldn't outright see it, he could tell the Rookie brightened up at the thanks. The way his head slightly tilts back, recoiling from the thanks, the small straightening of his posture, and of course the response. His signature nod, but this time a bit firmer. Boil couldn't help but chuckle.

They kept walking, admiring the city and reveling in the serene. All until once again, the city contacts them. Lights from billboards, cars, sidewalks and more, leading them to an ATM. Said machine is spitting out cash like a casino jackpot, and this time the Rookie gave the honors to Boil. With the Clone interacting with the machine, reveals more about Sadie and her journey in the city.

"That was a neat trick with the police sirens, girly. But I ain't so stupid."

"Jackpot! I win! I win!"

"Well that's never coming out of the grille."

"Again, why are we hea-" Before Boil could say anymore, the city answered.

"Please wait, we are sorry for the inconvenience. Please be patient."

As it finishes speaking, another set of lights appears. Guiding them to another highlight, this time to a UNSC recruiting terminal. What's notable about this one, is that there's a crashed Pelican nearby. This time, the Rookie decides to activate this one.

"I'm a cop. 'Service to all,' right?"

"Hello Sadie… Remember me?"

"Bet that makes you angry."

"Okay, okay, we're getting somewhere. At least I know what's up with…" Using his thumb, Boil points at a nearby terminal. When he does, it lights up in the familiar icon for the Superintendent. "So that's who's guiding us, huh? They city's droid, or erm… the city's AI. Or Vergil, or something? I don't know, but this thing is Sadie's friend, and by the looks of it, you want us to learn what happened to you, and this girl?"

The terminal beeps out a chirpy positive tune. "That's right, right?" Again, the same tune. "I'll take that it means I'm right." Again, same thing. "Alright, I'm right."

The Rookie then gestures to Boil, telling him they need to start moving again.

"You know, you could've spared me the confusion of the last couple hours if you told me that the City's droid was the one giving us directions." There was clear annoyance in his tone as Boil glanced back at the ODST.

But the Clone just sighed and facepalmed when the Rookie just gave him one of his signature shrugs.

"Just one more question, alright?" The Clone looks at the terminal once more, with one final question. "Does this story about Sadie and you, is it related to our mission?"

The Clone was greeted with another chirpy tune.

—[12 Minutes later]—

"I'm hungry."

The Rookie agrees, on top of waking up six hours later, and wandering the city for a couple more hours, they were getting tired. The ODST looks around, before spotting a ruined store. It's cover they can use while resting a bit. With him pointing to it, the duo steadily approaches it, checking to see if the area is secure. Upon entering, there's immediate respite from the rain. The Rookie reaches around to his back, pulling the pack off and retrieving two energy bars. With him returning the backpack, he tosses one of the bars to Boil.

"Thanks." They both start feasting on the bars, getting energy back while also somewhat satisfying their stomachs.

While he ate, the Rookie noticed the store they took shelter in, it looked like any other convenient store. It wasn't until he looked down on the ground when he saw some MRE packets. They were torn open, like someone also took shelter here and ate as well, much like they were.

"Wonder who ate here." Boil also noticed the MRE's, and pretty much expressed what the Rookie was thinking too.

---

DARE - SECTOR TWO - 4 Hours after drop

"Are you still cut off from the rest of the UNSC?"

"I'm also cut off from the city and anything outside the city. As far as I know, it could just be us for the remainder of the mission."

Three hours of sneaking around a city infested with the Covenant. Three hours of fighting when sneaking isn't an option. Three hours of fleeing when the Covenant presence is too dense or heavily fortified. In those three hours, it might as well have been an entire day's worth of field work for the duo.

When it came to fighting, Dare pretty much did the heavy work. With the combination of her silenced SMG and pistol, she expertly took down Brutes and their accompanying lances. While her Jedi guest mainly stood close or behind her, providing support with his crash course skill on a ballistic pistol. But there are definitely more than a few instances where Obi-Wan did shine with his lightsaber. Either with any enemy getting too close, the Jedi would wield his blade in such a manner that practically rivals many Elites in any rank. The ONI Captain could legitimately see the Jedi lasting against an Ultra, and surviving an encounter with a Chieftain.

Now they wander the city, with Dare guiding them to a specific place. What should really be at least a half hour journey to get to their destination, is turning out to be a few hours. It could take them ten minutes to make it a block, and potentially an additional twenty minutes to take out a group of Covenant forces, to even thirty minutes to flee and hide if said Covenant forces overpower them.

Looking back at her plus one, Dare is starting to see the haggard look. He's slightly dragging his feet, a hint of lethargic behavior, and a pained look that he's trying to hide. They need a break, and potentially some food to rejuvenate themselves with.

Luckily, she always comes prepared. "We need to take a break. We're getting close to where we need to be, and I don't want us dropping dead from exhaustion when we get there."

"Yes, that would be nice." Obi-Wan replied as he examined his surroundings. "There, that store, or I believe that's a store. Should provide us with cover from any patrolling Covenant forces."

"Alright, on me." Without any additional commands, and with her weapon raised she steadily makes her way to the ruined storefront. She pauses at the door before moving in and sweeping the area. When she deems it secure, she rests herself and her backpack on one of the store's aisles. The Jedi resting next to her, but on the opposite wall of the aisle.

Pulling out two MREs from her pack, she starts to prep them. "Have you ever tried MREs before?"

"MRE?" Obi-Wan looked at Dare, to see her holding out an MRE packet.

"Meal, ready-to-eat." She opened both packets, each having the same meal. A sandwich wrapped airtight with other goodies in the packets. She tossed the second sandwich to the Jedi, and he examined it, already realizing what they were.

"Ah, we called them rations back where I come from. When I'm in the field, we'd usually have ration bars. They're rather bland and borderline disgusting." He opened the seal and eagerly took the sandwich out. He immediately took a liking to what the UNSC offered its soldiers compared to what the Republic offered. That changed when he took a bite.

"Well, it's interesting to know that no matter the galaxy, field rations are bland." Dare took another unenthusiastic bite out of her own sandwich, with Obi-Wan frowning on his next bite.

"Still, from what I can see; your UNSC offers more to individual soldiers." He looks inside the packet where his sandwich came from. Inside are some stimpacks, energy bars, instant coffee, supplements and sweets. "Clones got ration bars and the occasional ration kit. In the meantime, Jedis do get ration kits almost daily. But if supplies got too strained, we would share a meal with the Clones."

The ONI Captain made an acknowledging sound as she took another bite, not really interested in continuing the conversation. The two descended into silence, as they focused on their respective meals. With their sandwiches finished they moved onto anything else in the packets. After a while they just rested, long enough to allow their food to settle and for them to catch their breath.

Dare mainly focused on her small PDA, reviewed mission details, noted strange sightings of Elite corpses and infighting within the Covenant. From what she gathered during this mission, is that the invasion was more sloppier here than any other previous groundside invasions the Covenant had performed. Could it've been the infighting? Or their strange fixation with New Mombasa, and its surrounding area? Is it related to why the Assault Carrier recklessly pushed past UNSC defenses and made a straight shot to the city?

The evidence is there, and Dare's hoping that her mission will answer the many strange questions that came from this invasion. But before she could think, she glances back at her companion to see him staring off into the distance. Looking straight out into the city, and not by any means as a lookout, but in a more contemplative sense. Something's bothering her plus one.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Dare suddenly asked as her eyes never left her PDA.

It took a moment for the Jedi to answer, before he swiveled back to her. "Pardon?"

"Is there something bothering you?" Same language but different ways of speaking, Dare realizes he might not understand their idioms.

"It's alright Captain. It is nothing to worry about." Dare stopped her typing to look at the Jedi.

"Will it affect the mission?" It's funny for the ONI Captain. She took a risk in enlisting the help of her former lover. Although that hasn't affected her since she last saw Buck, a part of her in the back recesses of her mind is still feeling rather guilty and worried. Guilty for leaving Buck before he could reach her, and worried about his safety and wellbeing. She knows he is fully capable of taking care of himself, otherwise she wouldn't have chosen him for this mission. But there is still enough of a connection that she's still worried about him. But she pushes her own stakes back and focuses back on her companion.

"It hasn't affected me since we started this mission. I doubt it will. It's just quiet moments where I'm reminded of it, that's all." Obi-Wan returns his attention back into the outside world, still with that focused expression.

Dare didn't know whether her ONI side was curious about his predicament, or she was just curious herself. On one hand, she could be worried about something about his end of the deal that he made with the security council. Stuff like logistics, political storm, or actual Republic effectiveness against combating the Covenant. It was clear from the interviews she helped conduct with the Extra-Galactics that war on this scale, and similarly the scale of their Clones Wars, was practically new to them. Roughly a thousand years of peace made them infants in warfare.

On the other hand, Obi-Wan could just be worried about more personal issues. He could be worried about his friends, the Clones under his command, maybe even for those back in his galaxy. Pretty much anything that didn't affect the war, and more of his emotional core.

Either way, Dare finished her review on her PDA and knowing more about this Jedi couldn't hurt. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow as he looked back at her. "I mean no disrespect to you Captain Dare, but I do know individuals who are very much like you back in my galaxy. I don't easily believe that your curiosity is altruistic, and maybe a form of intelligence gathering."

"So this is a personal issue." Dare didn't bother disproving him.

The Jedi scoffed as he shook his head. "Oh, you're too good at your job."

The ONI Captain chuckles. "Well as you so rightfully implied, it is my job. But as you may have figured out back on the ship, I don't always have this cold… demeanor." She suppresses a blush thinking about Buck. "But I'm not always this intelligence agent all the time. I'm still… human." She fights through the cringe as she says the last sentence. "If you're comfortable, you can talk to me. Plus I'm done with some work and we have time to kill before we move out. Might as well get to know you better." Dare sits up as she makes herself comfortable looking at the Jedi.

"Right…" Said Jedi starts to feel a bit nervous. He would normally feel more comfortable talking about these issues with people he trusts; like his fellow Jedi, Anakin, Yoda, Sati- He shakes his head to refocus. But yes, to those he trusts. At most, he's known Dare for a day, as she has interviewed him yesterday. Well her and other associates.

"Maybe getting a perspective outside your normal ring of close friends could help with whatever you're struggling with. They're called therapists, even though I'm not one, we could still talk." Dare tried to assure him, even if her tone was so 'matter-of-factly.'

She is right, maybe a new perspective could help with his troubled thoughts. "Well, if you say so.

"Recent events have caused me to start questioning some… things that are almost fact in my Galaxy. But now, with how our war is turning, and then being introduced to your Galaxy, and your war. Like I said, recent events are catching up to me. It's only really getting under my skin in these quiet moments, but like I said, it will not affect this mission."

"What kind of events?" Dare shifted so he had her fullest attention.

Obi-Wan scoffed. "Well you know about the war in our Galaxy. Well… you know as much about our war and Galaxy as your interviewees. Battles in contested regions of the Outer Rim, the political upheaval in Coruscant, Palpatine growing ever more powerful, etcetera."

"Are those things really bothering you that much? Because I have seen your interviews, and while those events seem to worry you, I can tell something else is bothering you." The Jedi raised an eyebrow. "I gather intelligence from the source, I know how to read people, especially the unreadable types." Then the ONI Captain drops the cold temperament for a bit. "Listen, why don't we level the field. I know that you're aware of Buck and I's relationship, and yes I do worry about him. But I need to stay focused on the mission, this isn't about us, it's about humanity's survival."

But the Jedi looked rather… incredulous. "I feel like you just lowered your side of the field rather than actually leveling it."

"It's better than nothing, and it's the best I can do."

"I suppose I'm not getting anything better?" Dare shook her head, and Obi-Wan sighed. "Very well." He paused for a moment, to gather his thoughts and courage to say them. He hasn't really had anyone to share his burdens with. The close he could get is Master Yoda, and… her. Speaking of which. "Your relationship with the Sergeant, you need to mend it before it's too late."

Obi-Wan could see the gears rotating in her head before her eyes slightly widened at the implication. "I thought Jedi weren't allowed to have connections… or as you call it, attachments."

"As you said earlier, you are only human. So am I." The Jedi didn't want to relive to memory, but talking about it does. "I lost her. A part of me wants to believe that if I was closer to her then my code allowed then maybe, she could still be here." It was difficult to process for him, even more so that he still followed the code after her death.

"Buck and I reminded you of her?"

"I had troubling thoughts before meeting you and Buck. It mainly just centered around your Galaxy, and our way of thinking. A whole Galaxy without the Force, the implications it has to our Galaxy. It changes so many things that have become pillars of the Jedi Order and its principles. But I fear that it will do more than that." The Jedi paused again, to gather his thoughts to make his point clear. "The path ahead of us is uncertain, so much so than it is originally. There's a massive shift in the Force right now, in our Galaxy, ever since our wars started. Now, with the introduction of your Galaxy, it will be even more so. Almost everything in our Jedi teachings is pointing to the fact that this Galaxy shouldn't exist."

He didn't realize he was staring into the blue once more, until he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "If I dare say, the fates of both our Galaxy's are forever changed. With that, our teachings are wrong, the very Order I stood by, even in my moments of doubt, could be wrong. I understand that many both within and outside the Order see our views as… too traditional, or too conservative but our principles exist to be selfless. To help, resolve peacefully, I…" He opened his eyes, and now looked directly ahead of him, now knowing the root of his issue.

"I do not know what lies ahead of me, and all those around me. The very teachings and ways of my Order, could be wrong and can be… not the most reliable into the future. So much so that… I could've saved her."

"Your thoughts are all over the place." Dare interjected.

"I apologize if my ramblings are disconnected. It seems all my burdens are more or less consolidating together into one."

She nodded. "I could tell, they're loosely connected to one another. But I think I know what's wrong. Crisis of faith?"

"Crisis of faith and fate itself. If fate ahead of us is changed, what will happen to us? My Order believes in a prophecy of a chosen one. With changing fate…" Obi-Wan once again looked at the ONI Captain.

"Right, and that chosen one is somewhere in our Galaxy or the next."

The Jedi sight. "Wonderful, just more to worry about. I won't be surprised if the next decade brings about my white hair."

Dare chuckled, but the torrent of information has her a bit overwhelmed. She still has her thoughts about the mission right now, and for one, they have stayed in their little break for a bit too long. But at the same time, there is surprisingly important information in what her Jedi had just said. Regarding how each Galaxy will react to the existence of another. For all she knew, with the crisis of faith that Obi-Wan is experiencing could apply to other Jedis in their Galaxy. The UEG and UNSC could potentially be facing another holy war in the future, this time in a Galaxy far, far away. She needed to take a few notes, but then another thought entered her mind.

Her ally just spilled his burdens to her, she may be cold but she wasn't heartless. Just ask Buck, wait a minute… maybe don't ask Buck. She shook her head to refocus, anyways she didn't want to leave Obi-Wan hanging. But even then, they were still on a mission, thoughts like these were good to talk about in break or outside of missions. And their break was practically over.

So, she settles for something in-between. "You know, crisis of faith can only be answered by one person."

"I know." The Jedi responded rather dryly.

"The best you can do is control how you react. On top of that just take it a day at a time, be aware of what's coming ahead of you so you can at least step aside or deal with it." It was the best advice she could give, at least in the moment.

"While I appreciate the advice, I have a feeling that isn't your true answer. What would you really say?"

Dare scoffs. "What would I really say? Well, I would say focus on the mission. If you want to deal with this, go to a shrink or a chaplain after the mission. I don't believe in fate, but if I have to die for the mission to continue, then I have to. We're in the middle of a war , there will be death along the way. It's inevitable."

Obi-Wan looks away from the Captain. "I guess it is."

There was a moment or two of silence between them. They both knew there's nothing that could've been done for the Jedi's dilemma, at least for the moment. They know they are not gonna fix it. But there is a part of the Jedi that wants to at the least end their discussion on a higher note than that.

But before the Jedi could say anything, a distant plasma explosion was heard. Close enough for them to be worried.

"Break time's over. Let's go." Dare said as she packed up quickly and was on her feet in seconds. Obi-Wan didn't have much on him except for some leftovers on the ground.

As the duo leaves their position, Dare brings up her PDA to write some field notes regarding her conversation with the Jedi. Noting how Kenobi could bring valuable insight on how their Galaxy works, and how they could potentially react to the Milky Way.

---

Boil couldn't help but keep glancing back at his companion.

With the Rookie taking the lead, both of them did their fair share of keeping an eye on their surroundings, urban warfare's a bitch. But so far, they manage to get pretty far, so much so that they are able to deduce what happened in the time they were both unconscious. But that still didn't mean they could let their guard down, even with no enemies in sight and in the still tranquil environment they find themselves in.

With that in mind, every now and then, the Clone trooper would occasionally glance towards his partner-in-crime. Although he wouldn't speak at all, for the few hours he's been with the Rookie he somehow manages to decipher what he's communicating. So much so that he could accurately pick out whatever he's saying… most of the time, ish. But even then, dare he says he could call the Rookie a friend now.

But that leads him to why he is stealing glances at the ODST, Boil hasn't had a real friend ever since Waxer. Sure, he does have his brothers, he knew he could rely on his fellow brothers for anything. But Waxer is different.

Was different, even with how annoying Waxer would be, he was the only one he could truly relate to. Ever since they started training in Kamino, the two of them have been inseparable. Waxer was more of the joker of the group, while Boil was the total opposite. They practically complimented each other, and they bounced off each other like they knew each other for years, decades even.

Now…

Boil stops, his head whipping to the front as he just notices something in front of him. That thing being… well, the Rookie, looking rather concerned for him.

"Dank farrik Rookie, you scared the hell out of me!" Boil just noticed he had his blaster pointed at the Rookie. Speaking of which, he was running dangerously low on gas. So much so that he may need to use the gun that Buck gave him, and is still attached to the Rookie's backpack.

For the Rookie, he just points at him. Then with the pointing finger, just starts poking the Clone trooper.

"What is it?"

The ODST kept poking him, not hard but with enough force to emphasize something. Then he pokes the Clone on his helmet, or more specifically his head.

"I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm focused okay?" The Clone Trooper tries to swipe away the ODST's finger, but the Rookie keeps poking his helmet. "What are you trying to say?"

The Rookie backed off, and this time tapped the side of his own helmet. Specifically where his temple is.

"What am I thinking?"

The Rookie nodded.

"It's nothing, just… um… thinking, I guess."

His partner wasn't buying it. With crossed arms and a tapping foot, it was clear he was waiting.

And Boil relented. "You remind me… of someone I used to know."

By the tone of his voice, the Rookie immediately dropped his posture and looked rather concerned for the Clone. Either way it's clear the ODST was taking this seriously.

Boil hesitated for a moment, but decided maybe the best way to move forward was to get this off his chest. "He was like me, and his name was… Waxer. We've known each other basically… since we were born. He was my best bud throughout the war." Boil knew he skimmed the line of disclosing classified material, that is why he didn't say which war.

"We went through everything with each other, you know? Childhood, training, through so many battles and close calls. And through it all, he's always had my back. By the Force, there was this one time we both saved this little girl, and we brought her back to her parents. Or at least her father, but anyways, she kept calling both of us her brothers." Boil laughed at the memory, he remembered being so against following and befriending the little Twi'lek girl. But in the end, it was one of his fondest memories, something he was so proud of. "I remember after that Waxer drew a rough sketch of the girl on his helmet. A lot of the guys teased him but I thought it was cool." Boil looked at the ground, seeing the rain water accumulate beneath his boot. He saw his own reflection, his own helmet. It was much like others in the 212th, including Waxer. Just without that small Twi'lek.

"Then I lost him." Tearing his sight away from the puddle, he looks up into the night sky, the rain hitting his helmet, the distant orange fires lighting up the cloudy night sky. "It wasn't even from enemy fire, but from intentional friendly fire. The Bastard General ordered two units to engage each other, both thinking the other side were enemies dressed up as friendly forces. You can imagine how Waxer died." He didn't want to imagine the shock and horror Waxer must've felt in his last moments. And for it to be his last thoughts before dying, fate is truly cruel for Clones.

Luckily for the Rookie, he imagines that Boil and Waxer must've fought against some Insurrectionists, under the orders of a bitter and incompetent General. For a military as vast as the UNSC, bad apples can still slip through the ranks.

Boil returned his attention to the Rookie. "It's just, hanging out with you for this long. Getting used to your quirks and talking to you. You just remind me of him, of Waxer."

That got the ODST's attention, as the Rookie looked at the Clone Trooper for a moment. Before using the bottom of his fist to lightly tap Boil on the shoulder. Although the tap itself is gentle, it's also a meaningful tap, impactful. The Rookie then knocked on his own chest, before knocking on Boil's chest, and finally giving him a firm nod.

Boil didn't really understand what the Rookie was saying, but he knew it was good and meaningful. Almost respectful, and he appreciated it.

"Thanks Rookie."

Then the ODST pointed to his own eyes with two fingers, before he stepped next to the Clone trooper and patted him on the back.

"Thanks for watching my back. I'm looking out for you too, alright? We're in this together."

The Rookie gave one final nod before gesturing to him to keep moving, and Boil followed behind. Again going back to moving forward and checking their surroundings. But as they walked, a thought bubbles within the Clone's mind. A thought that turns into a goal, and new found determination.

'You're gonna live Rookie, I'll make sure of it.'

—[22 Minutes later]—

"Augh… out of all the things that have terminals, why does a garbage, er… whatever the thing is. All I know is that from the smell of it, the thing holds garbage. Why in the Force does it also have a terminal!?"

Vergil once again led them to another terminal, this time on a garbage truck. Even the Rookie was wafting the air in front of him, smelling it through his own helmet. From the looks of the truck, it was hit with a plasma shot, a massive one at that. Looking at the actual shot, the ODST could make out a charred person.

"Alright, let's see what happens to Sadie now."

"Wow, buddy! Is she a tough customer or what?"

"Shut up, Tom!"

"Hey, hey Aliens! We're in here! We want to surrender!"

Boil looks up to find the charred remains of Tom. "I see where he's coming from, but still…" The Clone trooper couldn't help but think of the couple of peace treaties that senators like Padme Amidala tried to put forward. At least some Separatists also wanted peace, but the Covenant? A chill ran down his spine, thinking what would happen if the Republic tried to peacefully converse with the Alien conglomerate.

His thoughts were interrupted when once again, Vergil was guiding them to another place. Passing through empty cars and signs of battle, the path started to introduce more police cruisers. Eventually, the duo ended up in front of the police headquarters, NMPD.

The Rookie took point, and entered the lobby. As he entered, a foul smell assaulted his nose.

"What in the world…" Boil smelled it as well, and both gathered the will to enter.

Entering the lobby, they're met with a grisly sight. Bodies, a lot of bodies, all clearly dead from ballistics. Someone gunned down their own.

"Karabast… who could've done this?" As if to answer, the city's AI blinked and beeped. A terminal lights up, and the Rookie activates it.

"The police! They just pulled Vergil's plug!"

"According to this department, I have issues with anger management… If I were you, I'd stay where you are."

"The whole city's crawling with Covenant, and we're killing each other!"

"I understand that desperate situations will bring out the worst in people, but this?" Boil gestures at the bodies around him. "This is insane." The Clone looks around, to find the Rookie looking at one dead body in particular.

Walking up next to the ODST, Boil finds the body of a man, holding onto a gun like Buck's. Seeing the casing littering the floor, within the pool of blood, it was clear who this guy was.

"This is the guy who shot up the place huh?" Boil kicks the body. "Stupid bastard." The Clone trooper walks away. "In the middle of an invasion and decides to kill his own, fantastic…" Boil decides to examine the bodies around him, once again the thought of how Waxer died appears in his head.

As Boil is contemplating, the Rookie moves his attention away from the bodies, and to the computers of the reception desk. Not many lights or electronics led the way, but he could see that the Superintendent, or as his visor calls him 'Vergil,' is leading him to one of the computers. Going around and into the receptionist area, the ODST sees that the computer is still active. Seeing the icon for emails blinking, he touches it, seeing a priority message from ONI.

****ALL ABLE-BODIED OFFICERS THAT ARE STILL FIT FOR DUTY, ARE TO RENDEZVOUS AT ONI SITE ALPHA.****

---

CODY - KIZINGO BOULEVARD - 90 Minutes after drop

"Are you sure this is going to work?"

"It better, but if anything goes wrong your walking tanks can make short work of those Wraiths."

"But only one is fitting through the narrow street at the moment, and it's going to take time to move those tall barriers." Cody pointed to the large concrete wall blocking their way to the ONI site.

With the air still contested, they managed to get LAAT carriers and Pelicans to move the Walkers, Warthogs, and personnel from the Second Battalion and the 212th into the city. They moved steadily through the city, and were able to pick up a number of stranded Marines, Army soldiers, and police officers who were still willing to keep up the fight. With Warthogs, some Mongooses, and the Walkers, the makeshift convoy was able to move through the city. Entering Kizingo Boulevard, Cody and Dutch were met with a few police officers trying to create a defensive line outside the ONI site. A line now reinforced with Marines, Army, Officers and Clones. They even sent some of their spare men into the entrance outside the site to secure it even further.

Problem was that the Walkers were big. Only one by one can fit through the street they used to enter into the Boulevard. With the incoming Covenant, and the concrete barriers, that left little room for the Walkers to move, or even give them a chance to move.

"Gauss Turret's hot, ready to fire!" A Marine informed the ODST and Clone Commander.

Dutch was quick to respond. "Relax Marine, wait 'till they're in the kill zone!"

Cody was looking at the field, at the far side of the Boulevard he saw the gates opening. Coming in were two Scorpion tanks and a small contingent of Marines.

Cody places a hand on Dutch's shoulders, getting his attention. "Dutch, friendly reinforcements!" He pointed past the mounted Gauss Turret, to the gate behind it.

But before Dutch could acknowledge it, the Marine panics. "Ghosts! They'll see me for sure! I-I gotta take the shot!" Looking down close, indeed two Ghosts came around and starts engaging the Gauss Turret.

"I said hold your fire! Concentrate on the Wraiths at the end of the-" Too late, as soon as he started talking the Wraiths appeared and spotted the Marine on the Gauss turret. With one blast, said turret was gone, along with the Marine. "Ah hell, back blast clear! Let'em have it!"

"All units, open fire!" Cody orders through his comms. The whole ramp leading up to the ONI facility entrance, lined with soldiers and Officers alike, all engage the Wraiths, Ghosts, and the various Covenant lances that are rushing their positions.

With his rocket launcher, Dutch manages to destroy one of the Ghosts rushing their positions, while the other Ghost holds back and decides to engage the new unit of Scorpions. Behind the defensive line, the lead AT-TE Walker is still able to engage one of the Wraiths from its line of sight. It successfully is able to destroy it, leaving only one more left to deal with.

That one last Wraith being destroyed by the leading Scorpion tank, but not before they destroy two strafing Banshees, and a Phantom dropship while unloading Covenant Troops and its Ghosts.

With a lull in the battlefield, the Scorpions and accompanying Marines all roll up towards the defensive line. A familiar voice calling out when they got close.

"Wait a minute, Dutch? What are you doing up there? And is that where that bearded guy and his chess piece of a friend came from?" Mickey pops out from the driver's hatch of the leading Scorpion.

"Glad to see you too Mickey, and I guess so." Following that, Dutch slaps a hand onto the Clone Commander's shoulder. "This is Commander Cody. ONI sent him, his guys and tanks to give us a hand." The Clone Commander gave a small salute.

"They sent some of their guys to help them? Lovely, can we even get these tanks into the site?" Mickey stared at the two concrete barriers blocking any land vehicles from entering the entrance to the ONI site.

"Normally no, but they got something to help with that." Dutch pointed at the AT-TE's, with the leading Walker readying to use its two forward legs to push the barriers apart and onto the opposite sides of the ramp, making room for them, the Scorpions, Warthogs and various Mongooses.

"Huh, lucky that."

"Come on Mickey. Dismount, we need to head into the entrance. Covenant dropped in behind us, they must know of our rally point!"

"Terrific."

"All drivers, engineers are to stay behind and clear out these obstacles so we can get the armor to the Objective. We also need a squad or two to stay behind and provide added support and security for the tanks." Cody starts dishing out orders and the majority of their force starts making a move towards the ONI entrance.

A couple of squads of Marines and Clones decide to stay back for the armor. While the rest of the police officers, Marines and Army, along with the two ODSTs move towards the gate. Opening it reveals three Covenant lances, one approaching the gate, and two attacking the already stationed Marines and Clones.

"Open fire!" Cody called out, and with the combined firepower of potentially more than a hundred soldiers, absolutely melting the single lance that approached the gate. The massive group of soldiers started to pin the remaining two lances, with the UNSC soldiers strategically first targeting the officers, aka the Brutes. The two brutes both went down in a hail of gunfire, with the Major able to pop some shots from its Brute shot, killing a couple Army soldiers and Clones. While the few cops and the rest of the Clones all were targeting the lance's numbers, the Grunts and Jackals. Some Marines and officers were incapacitated and killed from returning fire from the Jackals. But overall, the makeshift echelon were able to quickly clear the area with little casualties.

"Damn, that was quick." Mickey said as the group started to move into positions in front of the entrance. "You guys are pretty good. Glad you're on our side." He punched Cody's arm. With the Clone rubbing the area.

"Thanks, I guess…"

"You're making him uncomfortable, Mickey. Give him a little space, and more professionalism." Dutch appeared on the other side of the Clone commander.

"Ah, lighten up a little Dutch. Just trying to have fun." Then the demolitionist looks around to their new friends, and sees how much their armors look pretty much identical to each other. "You know, with how you guys look, I won't be surprised if you're all clones or something."

Cody nervously scratched the back of his head. "What makes you say that?"

"All your ar-"

"Enough chit-chat, we got a Phantom up above! Everyone find cover!" Dutch interrupts as the Phantom flies low, with both its side gunners and main cannon opening up on them. A few of their numbers were hit with the attack, as everyone found cover and began to return fire. "It has a Wraith underneath it!" Dutch said as he, Cody and Mickey took cover behind one of the concrete barriers. He looks at Mickey's rocket launcher. "Your jackhammer's got any ammo?"

"Only one salvo of two rockets!" Mickey said as he proudly grabbed the heavy ordinance from his back.

"I need you to get to the top of the upper levels of the outer perimeter. Get a good look at that Wraith and destroy it!"

"I'll get some guys to come with you and to the other side. They won't be flanking us and we'll get the higher ground too." Cody pitched in, silently thanking General Kenobi for the advice. Advice that Dutch agrees with.

"Good idea, is that plan?" The trio nodded, and with his rocket launcher in hand, Mickey sprinted to the back, getting up and into the upper level surrounding the plaza. Over the local battlenet, he heard both Cody and Dutch issuing orders to the various units they have, and soon Mickey wasn't alone up here. As a few Clones, Marines and Army soldiers all followed him to get a better shot at the incoming Covenant forces.

Without missing a beat, Mickey easily destroys the Wraith, immediately depraving the hostiles from their armor and big shot. Unfortunately, it grabbed their attention as well. A Jackal sniper sighted his position, and took a shot. Luckily the ODST managed to get behind cover, but in the flurry of shots, one of the Marines that came up here with him took one through the head.

Mickey watched as the Marine went down, dropping her Sniper rifle. The ODST then quickly snatches the Sniper, and starts providing overwatch. Beginning with the Jackal taking shots at him. With sniper support, the Brutes and sniper jackals start to be taken care of.

Back on the ground, the remaining forces are still standing their ground against the rest of the Covenant forces. Using his precision, Dutch carefully aims at the small slits at the sides of Jackal energy shields, to get them to stagger, so he could quickly finish them off with a head shot. When there's a large group of Jackals, a simple grenade should be able to deal with them. Any of them that jumps out of the way are immediately picked off in their vulnerable state.

Meanwhile the Clones are still able to hold their own. With this battle being one of their first real tests against Covenant ground forces, they are able to quickly adapt, but not without casualties. Cody quickly showed off his skill, quickly tackling a Jackal, depriving it of its shield, before using it to his own advantage. That inspired other Clones to do the same, with a fair amount of them going down from their failed attempt.

After a mean barrage of plasma fire, Cody retreats back behind the concrete barriers, now surrounded by his own 212th. "Luckily we were briefed on how to deal with 'em." One Clone on his immediate right said, as he too is taking cover.

"It was more of a crash course, but better than nothing!" Another Clone trooper sounded off. Said Clone trooper peaked out of cover to engage but is soon pelted with purple crystals before exploding into bits by an enthusiastic Grunt.

Cody responded by also peeking out of cover and blasting down the offending alien. Taking cover once more, the voice of Dutch comes from their comms.

"Incoming! Another Phantom!"

Looking up in the sky, indeed another Phantom is swooping, intending to drop off more Covenant soldiers. But before they could engage, big blue bolts struck the aerial vehicle. Three shots later, the Phantom and its occupants are no more.

Looking at where those shots came from, Cody was met with the sight of his AT-TE's, and behind them were the rest of their echelon that stayed with them. Including the two Scorpions, Warthogs and a few Mongooses.

"That's all of them! Way to go everyone!" Dutch sighed in relief over the comms, and everyone did as well. Some cheered as they won the engagement. But the cheering is still pretty mute, knowing that more fighting is expected ahead of them. "Cody, Mickey, on me!"

Stretching his legs and arms a bit, Cody made his way to the ODST, with Mickey already there, and the Sergeant of Second Platoon quickly conversing with Dutch, before running towards his men.

"How're you doing Commander?" Dutch asked as Cody approached.

"Fine. By the looks of it, a little under three fourths of my guys are still in fighting shape. The rest are mostly gone, and the wounded are being moved into the Walkers." Cody said as he looked back at his own men. They were in rough shape, fighting the Covenant was tougher than the Separatists. The Covies just had better weapons, armor, gear and weapons. It didn't help that the Brutes were relentless, he sadly saw some of his guys getting too close to a raging Brute. "We're holding on."

"Yeah, our guys are roughly the same." Dutch responded as he turned to face his squadmate. "How 'bout you? Heard from Gunny?"

But Mickey shakes his head as his visor depolarizes. "No, Romeo neither."

"Huh, guess it's just you and me from the squad."

"My vote? Hole up, wait for backup."

"That's the issue, we are the back up." Cody enters the conversation as he points to his fellow Clone Troopers.

"Oh… okay, then what's the plan? We're all here at the rally point, what are we rallying up for? Evac?" Before Mickey could say anymore, the gates for vehicles opened up, with a cop on the other side.

"Thank God! Does one of you know how to use explosives?"

The trio looks at each other, with Dutch eyeing Mickey in particular.

"We're rallying for that."

"Oh…"

—[7 Minutes later]—

"Glad you all could make it."

"Who're you?"

"I'm with ONI, my name doesn't matter."

"Course it doesn't"

"Shut up Mickey, what do you need from us sir?"

With the AT-TE's, Scorpions, Warthogs and Mongooses all crossing the bridge, and all the on-foot forces are crossing as well, the trio meet up with an ONI agent at the end of the bridge, right under one of the watchtowers. Said ONI looks away from the three to carefully study the surprisingly large assembled force being brought into the site. Then with a calculating face, he then turns back to his constituents.

"ONI and UNSC brass weren't expecting such a large force reaching the rally point, that changes a lot of things." He started as he raised the tablet he was holding the entire time. "We originally wanted your explosives expert to plant bombs all over the building, and the bridge. Asset denial, can't let the Covenant have a shred of information. But like I said, that's now changed with how many have responded to the rally call." He then looks at the two ODSTs. "You two wouldn't have happened to drop in with an ONI Captain, have you?"

Dutch and Mickey look at each other, before turning back to the ONI agent. "How'd you know?"

But he shook his head. "I didn't, but now I do. By the looks of it, you were all scattered now. Well, sorry to say it boys but your mission has once again changed."

"All in a day's work, sir."

"Yeah, what he said."

"Even you Cody, that's your name right? I was only given your name." The ONI agent looked at the Clone. To Cody, it easily looked like the agent was lying, knowing more than just his name by just the glint in his eye.

"Yes sir." Was all he said before the spook turned his attention back to all three of them.

"Listen up, instead of asset denial, me and a bunch of other specialists are gonna try to salvage key information. But it's going to take a lot of time to transfer said data. We're still going to destroy the building, but after we finish the transfer. That's where all you guys come in."

"You want us to cover your ass." Mickey puts it bluntly, but the spook nods.

"Exactly, but you'll be multitasking as well. Because by putting up a good fight, you're all not only covering me, but also attracting the Covenant's ire. The entire Covenant presence here on New Mombasa and the surrounding region will be attracted to you. With that attraction, you are giving any civilian and UNSC forces that are still stranded within the city a chance to evacuate. At the City's limit, there's an evac point for both civilians and UNSC forces. They will go there, while all the Covenant is fond of is you guys."

"Hoh… we're pulling out the Aragon strategy, huh?" Mickey joked as Dutch looked at him strangely.

"Didn't know you could read Mickey."

"You learn something new everyday."

"No offense sir, but that's quite a gamble." Cody said as he examined the plan in his head. Considering how much Covenant there was from just their journey here, he can't imagine what a full siege would look like. Sure the site looked rather defendable, with the artificial lake surrounding them giving them some advantage and good sightlines, it was still a risky plan.

"It is, and from what I've heard within the ONI rumor mill, is that you guys do exceedingly well under overwhelming odds." The spook looks directly at Cody, looking like he trumps him. But the Clone commander stands tall.

"We try our best, sir. We're not invincible."

"And that's exactly what I need you to do. Try your best. By getting the Covenant's attention, you'll be giving a civvie, or a stranded unit a window out of the city. More people will survive this battle, more soldiers will make it out to fight another day." The trio still didn't look entirely convinced. "I know the prospects aren't pretty, but it is a gamble with a safety net. If things fall through, we'll fall back to the original plan of blowing everything up. We're just trying to kill two birds with one stone here, give it a shot."

Cody looks back at the two ODSTs, with both of them looking back at the Clone trooper. Dutch gave the Clone commander an indifferent shrug, clearly not minding at all. Mickey just looks excited to blow stuff up. For the Clone commander, it's various conflicting feelings all crashing together.

It's not his war, but there are still people in danger. His general volunteered his attack battalion to help in the defense of this city, yet he isn't even here. They're fighting to help the very people who had agreed to help them get home, but at what cost? What's the point of getting home when they're all dead?

But those were just his personal feelings. Either way, those feelings don't easily matter in the grand scheme of large conflicts like these. He was still a soldier, there were still people who relied on him. Lives depended on him, and on top of all those reasons, he was still pretty much ordered here by his General. Someone who he refused to fail.

"Alright… what's the layout of the area?"

---

Boil is now officially out of gas for his blaster.

One of the common advantages that his blaster has to the slugthrowers, or guns as they call them, is viability. It can be used for a while without reloading. That doesn't mean his blaster can't reload, especially after extended battles and general use. Especially for a night like tonight, where Boil has used his blaster exponentially more than usual. To the point where he's at right now, completely out of gas.

But luckily, he and the Rookie are in New Mombasa's police station. A police station with a fair amount of ammo and weapons still left behind by the city's finest. It makes sense that since the Officers and other personnel were most likely safely evacuated, that they would have left a lot of stuff behind during the process. From useless documents, some personal possessions, to their weapons and ammo.

Searching around the building, the Rookie would look through almost every terminal, with him struggling to find his own squad. It makes sense, they're almost clueless on where to go, with their only real guide more interested in telling a story that's loosely connected to their actual mission. That's what led them all over the city, searching for clues on where Alpha-Niner has gone.

With the Rookie pouring through documents and terminals, Boil wanders the halls with an empty blaster. He would agree that it's not the smartest thing to do, but something told him that what is behind the double doors in front of him would answer his current predicament.

Indeed because when he enters, the Clone trooper finds himself in a familiar area, an indoor shooting range. On the opposite wall of the range are weapon lockers. Some open, some not, but a lot of them still have a variety of weapons for the Clone to test.

Approaching the first open locker, its contents reveal a single type of weapon, pistols. They aren't the same like the Rookie had, as these pistols are shorter, without that extended barrel.

Taking one out, he examines the weapon. Looking under the handle, he sees that the pistol is without its ammo. Looking back in the locker, he sees messy rows or magazines with slugs, or bullets from what he understood from the UNSC briefings he got before deploying with the General. Taking one magazine, he slides it into his weapon, and remembering how the Rookie reloads his pistol, slides the top frame back. He sees the bullet being loaded into the chamber, and now knows that the gun is hot.

Walking into one of the stalls, he looks down range to see that his stall's target is already shot up. Exiting the stall, he goes down the line until he finds one with its target not riddled with bullet holes.

Once again taking aim, he lines up the sights and pulls the trigger. Or more like, tries to pull the trigger, as the trigger refuses to pull back all the way.

"What the…?" He examines the weapon again. Boil even slides the frame back, ejecting the current round and loading in a new one. He aims down again, only for the weapon to refuse to be fired. "Stupid slugthrowers, why did I even bo-"

Boil was about to leave the stall before he turned to see the Rookie next to him.

"Karabast! Don't sneak up on me, or else! Or else I'll…" The Clone looks around, only really having the 'broken' pistol in his hand. "I'll… pistol whip you?"

The Rookie tilts his head to the side, showing his confusion, before he looks down on the object of frustration. Seeing the pistol, he reaches down and switches something at the side of the weapon. After that, he backs away and gestures Boil to the target.

Even if the Rookie couldn't see it, Boil did narrow his eyes. "Okay…" Once again aiming down the stall, he gently pulls the trigger.

Boom.

A single shot, a hole through the target's shoulder. "Damn, that's a kick." Boil examines the pistol in his hand again, before returning his attention down range once more. Pulling the trigger a few more times, although his aim is a bit all over the place, it still hits the target.

With the slide back and an audible click, the pistol's empty. "Alright, my first slugthrower, and I think…" Looking down range, he notices how badly his grouping is. "I think I did good, all things considered."

Turning back to the Rookie, he sees the ODST pulling out the Assault Rifle that Buck reserved for the Clone trooper.

"Oh, yeah. I honestly forgot about that. I've just been using my own, heh." He taps his empty carbine that's just hanging beside his thigh. "Guess I have to make due, huh? More firepower." He takes the Assault Rifle from the Rookie and examines it. Seeing its bulky nature, the screen on top of the weapon, and one glaring issue. "Where's the sights?"

The Rookie taps on his visor, and the Clone instantly knows what he means.

"The sights are integrated into your helmet?"

The ODST nodded.

"Well, not mine…" Although he wanted to find the next best weapon, he first decided to see if he could handle it without sights. Getting into his firing posture, he aims down the range, and pulls the trigger.

Taking short bursts, the Clone wasn't used to this slugthrower's recoil and kick. So much so that a lot of his rounds went all over the place. Hitting the back wall, hitting just right next to the target, or the occasional lucky shot hitting non-lethal places on said target.

"Yeah no, not this." Boil lowers the gun, and turns to the Rookie. "Anything better?"

The Rookie turns to the locker wall, looking for one weapon in particular. Luckily, pretty much any type of weapon within the UNSC's armory is here… for some reason. Going up and down the lockers, the Rookie finds what he's looking for. Pulling the rifle out, he hands the Clone trooper a BR55 Battle Rifle.

"Is this any better for me?" Boil asks as he takes the rifle, and checks if he could hold it comfortably.

The ODST gestures to the stall.

"Alright, let's see." Taking aim down range, Boil pulls the trigger, and a burst of three rounds fires from the weapon. The kick along with the recoil causes each bullet to impact higher than the previous. "Oh karabast! Wasn't expecting a burst." He lowers the weapon and looks at the Rookie.

"Sorry, not this one. If I thought the kick was bad on the other blas- um… gun. Then this one makes it worse for me." He hands back the BR to the Rookie. "Anything less recoil intensive, but I can still get rounds down range? Kind of like my weapon." He taps on his DC-15S hanging by his thigh.

Again, the Rookie goes up and down the locker, before quickly finding a more suitable weapon for the Clone. Pulling it out, he approaches the Clone, and hands him an M7 SMG.

"Hey, it's kinda like yours. Except… smaller, are you trying to tell me something?" The Clone asks in a suspicious tone. One that got the Rookie immediately responding.

He started shaking his hands and head, pointing to the wall in an exaggerated manner. It got the Clone trooper laughing.

"Relax, I'm just pulling your leg." Boil remarks as he moves back into the stall. Aiming down range, he pulls the trigger in small intervals, letting out bursts of the weapon. This however, he's able to reliably group his shots, but also just be more accurate. "Alright, now this is more like my blaster. Recoil is manageable, and I don't have to worry about any sort of casing. This is pretty much your version of my weapon. Hah." He turns back to the ODST. "Looks like we'll be using the same kind of weapon."

The Rookie nods once again, and moves back to the locker where he got the M7. Looking inside, he sees a fair amount of ammo for the weapon, and decides to take as much as he backpack can carry.

With their ammo better than good, the duo moves out of the indoor range. "You good, got everything you need from the station?" Boil asks as they walk down the empty corridors.

The Rookie somewhat nods, and the Clone trooper sees this as partially complete. He got something, just not as much as he thought he could get.

"Don't worry Rookie, we'll find them. And if not, we'll find a way out of the city and back to friendly lines. We've made it this, haven't we?" Boil slaps his hand on the Rookie's shoulder.

The ODST looked back at his companion, gave him a nod with a little enthusiasm. The Clone trooper smiles under his helmet, knowing he at least cheered up his friend, no matter how small it is.

As they move through the corridors, they pass a room with flicker lights. The duo stops, their weapons raised as they move in the inspect. Entering the room proper, reveals that it's actually some sort of recording room. The flickering and blinking lights are caused by Vergil, trying to get their attention for another recording.

"Alright, let's see where this takes us." Boil activates the terminal, and the recording plays.

"... if it was a gun."

"Some days, truth isn't really a luxury we can afford."

"I feel sick."

Lying for the betterment of all isn't really something Boil has ever thought about. He knew about classified material, considering he even hasn't told the Rookie about what he really is. But something like this? It is questionable, and something that the Clone didn't want to answer.

"Tough calls always have to be made in desperate situations. Even if it's… questionable." The Clone remembers a lot of the questionable things the GAR had done during their own war back against the Separatists. "War makes people mad, I guess."

The Rookie only shrugs, and moves away from the room. It's clear that the ODST didn't want to think too deeply about this, and just decided to focus on their objective.

"Yeah, let's just worry about your team for the moment." Boil backs up the Rookie as the move to leave the building.

As they move towards the lobby, the Rookie accidentally kicks something on the ground. Looking down, he sees that he accidentally kicked an empty sniper magazine. Around him actually, are some casing from a sniper. Crouching down and picking up the magazine, he examines it, and the bullet casings.

Boil walks up next to the ODST, and sees him holding the offending object. "Think it's from your team?"

The Rookie nodded, as he further examined the mag.

---

BUCK - NMPD - 3 Hours after drop

Romeo reloads his Sniper Rifle, after dispatching a small lance that was following them.

Dropping the empty mag on the ground, he looks over to where Buck is. The Sergeant is looking over a terminal, checking if there are any reports or sightings of his Squad and Veronica anywhere in the city. But the only clue he has for where they could potentially be located, is the new rally point situated on the ONI site in the city, and an evacuation point by the city limit.

"Anything new Sarge?" Romeo looks over the shoulders of his Sergeant.

"Yeah, a rally point and an evac point. I'm more interested in the rally point at Site alpha." Buck pointed at the ONI site, with Romeo looking at him smugly.

"Oh, is it because of a certain someone from ONI?" The sniper cheekily said as Buck looked on with annoyance.

"Among other things, hopefully our guys are there. Knowing Mickey, Dutch, and hopefully the Rookie, they wouldn't miss out on a fight." The Sergeant reasoned as he and Romeo moved through the abandoned police station.

"And if they're at the evac point?"

"They know we still have a mission to complete within the city. We need to rendezvous with them."

Romeo chuckles. "Whatever you say boss."

—-[13 Minutes later]—

The ODST pair breach the rooftop door, with Buck taking the lead.

"Clear?" Buck asks.

"Yeah, we're good."

The duo starts making their way through the roof, first approaching the landing pad. Buck hopes he could get in contact with his squad.

"Dutch, Mickey, Rookie, are you guys out there? Respond, that's an order!" Buck says through comms, hoping one of their squadmates would answer.

"Give it up, Gunny. Even if-" Before Romero could finish, Buck spots a police Pelican flying nearby.

"Nearby Pelican, this is Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck, on the rooftop of the NMPD. Request pickup, over?" Buck interrupts Romeo as he starts waving towards the Pelican.

"I see you, I see you, landing on the pad. Better move out of the way." The Pelican responded as it diverts from its course and heads for the landing pad. "I'm gonna make a quick fly by, I gotta get these guys to the ONI site."

"ONI site? You guys are heading there too?" Buck asks as he and Romeo move out of the way of the Pelican.

"The crew chief will tell you more about it, hop on." The pilot said as Buck and Romeo quickly climbed onto the moving Pelican. Once onboard the dropship immediately speeds up, towards the raging battle. Inside the Pelican, the sergeant sees a group of both Marines and a few ODSTs. Approaching them is who Buck determines to be the crew chief.

"Luckily we flew close by to notice you." He started, with Buck and Romeo seated themselves at the edge of the Pelican.

"You guys are heading to the middle of the city?" Romeo questioned, as he looked out into the ruined city.

"It's not as stupid as you make it sound like. The only reason that the evac point was established is because all the Covenant's attention has been on that blacksite. There's a whole bunch of Marines, Army, cops, and weird soldier guys with white armor. They've been on the Covenant's eye for an hour, and are holding on pretty well. We've been making round trips from the rally point and the evac point. Transporting the wounded, and anyone who wants to join the fight." The crew chief explained.

"Any ODSTs there?" Buck asked hopefully.

"Yeah, two in particular; one in yellow, and the other in red. Plus one of the white armors. They've been really leading this whole thing, and ONI's been helping too."

"Gunny, that has to be Dutch and MIckey." The sniper elbowed the Sergeant.

"Any other ODSTs?" Buck hoped the Rookie was present too.

"Besides you two and the other ODSTs…" He pointed at the other ODSTs in the Pelican as well. "Nope, just those two guys I saw during my other trips there."

Buck looked at the other ODSTs with them, recognizing none of them as his Rookie. "Shit."

"Like I was about to say Gunny, give it up. Even if he ain't dead, he's lost in that soup. Our comms can't cut through that." For some reason, Romeo decided now was a great time to open his pie hole.

"Oh, give up huh? What if it were you down there?" Buck faced Romeo, as the sniper just sat back and relaxed on his seat.

"Just sayin'," he started, and then shrugged. "I ain't dead."

Buck looks away and shakes his head. "Oh, you're a piece of work Romeo."

Just as they descended into silence, they were interrupted by a violent shake of the Pelican. Everyone inside immediately sat straight up, weapons readied, with themselves ready to disembark.

"Be advised, we're passing by Banshees and Phantoms, get ready for some heat!"

"We're just flying straight through Covenant air!?" Romeo exclaimed as he looked at the back of the opened ramp, two Banshees started tailing them.

"The ground's basically a fortress! The air at best is still contested!" The Crew Chief shouted, but didn't show immediate concern.

Just as Buck was about to question him, the two Banshees tailing them exploded. Followed by stray bolts of blue, coming from the ground. Looking out the back, they flew in sight of the grounds. The ONI grounds were unrecognizable, with many destroyed Phantoms, Banshees, Wraiths, fires spread throughout the area with the corpses of both sides littering the yard. Yet there was still heavy fighting, as two Scorpions were firing non-stop at the ground Covenant forces. They were supported by a row of entrenched Marines, Army, and those white armor soldiers Buck recognizes to be the same as Boil's. But behind the frontlines, were the ones that drew Buck's attention. A pair of what looked to be walking tanks, firing blue bolts at both the sky and on the ground.

Soon, the Pelican landed on top of the ONI building, with wounded waiting for the Pelican to arrive.

"Off, off, off! Disembark go!" The crew chief exclaimed as everyone inside the Pelican moved to leave. Right when they do get off, the wounded are then loaded on board immediately after.

Looking around, Buck could see that at the edge of the building, sniper teams are working nonstop to quell the Covenant horde, as the Marines that're dropped with them move to the elevator heading down to ground level. The sergeant again tries his comms, and is immediately met with frantic radio calls from all over the battle. Calls for medics, extra support, ammo, the radio is filled with chatter from all over the battlefield.

"We're not gonna get anything through the comms. We have to find them in person." Romeo said as he too moved to the elevators. Buck follows, and soon they descend down, and into the lobby. The lobby itself is packed with more wounded and medics treating them. Along with them are sporadic ONI agents in black armor, hovering above their small portable terminals or data tablets. Right in the middle of the lobby is a machine gun nest with a few cops and Marines in it, they look ready for the moment the Covenant breaches the building, ready to provide covering fire for the wounded and civilians still here with them.

Buck made his way to the closest spook, his stride alone got the agent's attention. "Two ODSTs, Mickey and Dutch. Where are they?"

The Agent points to the exit, leading towards the fight. "Right in the thick of it with Commander Cody. You can't miss them."

Buck nods in thanks, and with Romeo on his tail, the duo quickly run to the front. Going up the stairs, the sound of explosions, gun and plasma fire is intensifying. Medics running past them with wounded men and women on stretchers, soldiers pouring out of the building with ammo crates and medical supplies, random explosions tossing anyone unfortunate a good distance. The battle is an organized mess, but they still manage to hold on.

Right near the building itself, and standing on top of the raised concrete platforms were the walking tanks Buck saw while flying in. The chassis itself looked long gone, but the main gun on top was still active, seeing the white armored trooper still intently focused on targets that were clearly being called out. Down the lines and onto the second concrete platforms were two Scorpion tanks, who were exclusively targeting ground elements, including the Phantoms dropping them.

There, right in the center gap in-between the two Scorpion tanks, hiding behind the mixture of tall concrete walls and piled up sandbags, are his two men. They're taking cover, periodically peaking out to take out more Covenant fodder.

"There they are Romeo, let's move!" Both ODSTs start a crouching sprint towards the thick of the fight. With a mixture of bullets and plasma just whistling past above their heads.

Before they could make it, Dutch turns back to see them coming. "Gunny! Romeo! Over here!"

Both Buck and Romeo practically bodychecked the cover. "Ugh, fuck that hurts." Buck cursed as he rubbed his shoulder. He looks back at his two newly found squadmates. "How's your day ladies?"

Mickey laughs as he primes a grenade and tosses it out of cover. "Just lovely, we've made so many friends today, dad! Today's the best day of my life!" Romeo laughs as he peaks out of cover and takes a shot, instantly killing a raging Brute.

But Dutch looks seriously at Buck. "Gunny, you have to meet someone. If it wasn't for him, this whole show wouldn't have happened." Looking around, he spots Cody, and starts waving at him to move to his position. Running from his own cover with his Clones, Cody ran through the friendly lines, eventually sliding up to Alpha-Niner. "Gunny, this is Commander Cody. Cody, Gunny."

"Pleasure." Buck gave the Clone Commander a small salute.

"You're their squad leader, correct?" Cody said in his crouched position.

Buck nodded. "And you're wondering where you General and that one guy is right? Boil, right?" They ducked a little lower following an explosion that hit a little too close.

"Affirmative, do you know where they are?"

But the ODST shook his head. "Sorry Commander, I just found out the majority of my squad is here. We were all scattered after the drop, and I'm still missing two of my own. Sorry Commander, I don't know."

Cody looked away and shook his head. "Karabast."

"But what's the sitrep? How're we doing?" Buck asked, as the rest of his squad around him started actively engaging the Covenant, giving room for the ODST sergeant and Clone Commander to talk.

"Not well for long." Cody looked back up at him. "We're slowly running out of ammo and medical supplies. Our guys are quickly getting killed or wounded, so much so that your dropship is carrying more wounded than dropping off new soldiers. Another hour and we'll be overrun."

"How 'bout the spook!? Are they done transferring?" Mickey yelled out as he returned behind cover.

"What transfer!?" The ODST sergeant exclaimed.

"This holdout is for two things." Dutch started as he crouched next to them, letting his Spartan Laser cool down. "First is to give an ONI spook enough time to transfer sensitive info off the site, and then Mickey here blows it up once it's done. The other is to be Covenant bait for anyone in the city to safely evacuate."

Buck lets out an incredulous laugh. "That's great, that's just… perfect!" He then looks at Romeo. "Romeo, I need you to head inside, find that Spook, and ask how much longer we'll be here. Then update us and head to the rooftop to provide sniper fire."

"You got it Gunny." The blue highlighted ODST runs back into the building, leaving the four to keep holding out.

Buck looks back at the Clone commander. "How much longer did you say we can last!?"

"About an hour! But I won't be surprised if the Covenant wanted to end it early." Cody said as he peaked back out of cover to lay down more fire.

"Early how!?" Mickey asks as he reloads his rocket launcher.

But Cody just shrugs. "I don't know, but I'm sure they know we're not falling easily. I won't be surprised if they drop something big."

And something big indeed dropped.

Landing with an explosive shake, on top of the wall separating the end of the bridge and the front yard of the site, is a Scarab.

"What is that?" Cody asked with wide eyes.

"Something big!" Mickey says as he aims his Spankr.

"All heavy armor, prioritize the Scarab. Take it down NOW!" Dutch yells into the comms, as both the Scorpions and Walkers all focus their guns on the scarab. But climbing down from its perch, it gets on their level and starts using its main gun. Firing beams of plasma, both Scorpions are practically erased, leaving the frontlines without their only lifeline.

"Fall back to the secondary line!" Dutch yells, but is stopped by Buck's hand on his chest plate.

"Dutch, we have to take it down." He looks at Commander Cody. "Tell your tanks to aim at their legs, preferably the back legs. So we can jump onboard."

The Clone commander nods, and comms the AT-TEs. "Back legs! Shoot at the back legs now!"

"You two you guys! You both have a Laser and Spankr, go!" Buck orders as he reaches for the comms once again. "Belay the fall back order. Hold the first line until the Scarab buckles!"

With that, the soldiers began a desperate stand against the gigantic mechanical monstrosity. As its legs just steps or throws anyone that's unfortunately below them. Its main cannon is deleting scores of Marines and Clones, and the crew on top of the Scarab just blasting anyone within their sights. Eventually, one of the Walkers is targeted, a single beam from its main cannon finally destroys the durable Republic tank.

But eventually, the back legs burst with plasma and electricity, its armor bursting out. The legs shake before finally, it buckles and lowers itself to the ground.

"That's it!" Buck exclaims as he activates his local comms. "Everyone, give us covering fire, we're boarding it!" The ODST looks at his four compatriots. "Come on! You too!" He yanks up Cody, and the four ODSTs all make a run for the back of the Scarab.

Along the way, various Covenant units try to stop them. But the lines behind them, plus the sniper teams on the roof are practically giving them a shield of bullets. Any Burte getting close is taken out with Sniper fire, any Grunt by one of the men running to the Scarab, and the Jackals are pinned by the overwhelming fire coming from the frontline soldiers. Eventually they reach the back, swiftly taking out the Brutes and Jackals guarding it. With the four helping each other up the Scarab, Buck starts issuing orders.

"Mickey, Dutch, take the right side. Cody and I got the left." The two other ODSTs wordlessly nodded, as Buck looks at his plus one. "Ready?"

Cody readies his DC-15S. "Yes sir." Although he does technically outrank the ODST sergeant, he mirrors Rex's values of experience outranks… Well, rank.

Moving around the corner, they met a Grunt that's oblivious to their presence, still manning the plasma turret. Behind it and on the main floor of the Scarab is another Brute, this time watching for them and now firing.

The two soldiers dodge out of the way of the spikers projectiles. But before Buck could take his shots against the Brute, it throws a spike grenade at them. Thinking quickly, Cody yanks the poor Grunt from its turret, and uses it as a shield. With the grenade sticking onto said Grunt, it starts to panic, and before it could run away, Cody grabs onto the small alien, and tosses it towards the Brute. Before the hairy alien could move out of the way, the grenade detonates, killing both of them.

"Huh… remind me not to get on your bad side." Buck comments as he moves next to the Clone.

"Just something I picked up from my own battles." Cody huffs, as he eyes the plasma turret the Grunt manned.

"You can just yank those off you know?" Buck says, seeing the Commander eyeing the weapon.

But Cody is way ahead of him. "I know, I've seen Dutch do the same thing." With a simple yank, the Clone Commander is now in possession of a heavy plasma turret.

"Don't let me get in your way." The ODST sergeant said as he moved behind the Clone, with Cody leading them both around to the main deck.

Circling around, they both met up once more with Dutch and Mickey, with the experienced ODST also weidling his own plasma turret. They both nod at each other, and wordlessly move on to the back of the Scarab. Both mowed down the remaining top crew of the Scarab, until finally reaching the core of the war platform.

"Once the core goes critical, we drop this and jump off."

"Affirmative!" Cody readies himself, and so does Dutch.

Both start firing again, relentlessly pounding the Scarab's core with a torrent of plasma, it isn't long until it goes red.

"Go, go, GO!" Buck yells as he jumps off.

Followed by Mickey, then Dutch, and after some hesitancy, Cody. With the Clone commander being caught by the older ODST. Eventually all four run behind the cover of a nearby concrete wall, and seconds later a massive explosion blows over them.

The dust settles, and there's a lull in the battle. An eerie silence following the destruction of the Scarab. Almost as if the destruction of the walking beast also eliminated the surrounding Covenant.

"It's too quiet, we have to get back to the lines." Cody said as he stood up, weapon on hand.

"After you, I'm not getting in your way." Buck laughs as he too gets up, followed by Dutch and Mickey.

Carefully making their way back to their lines, they heard sporadic gun and blaster fire, meaning not all the Covenant forces are dead yet. Reaching back to their lines, a Clone trooper comes out to meet them.

"Commander Cody, sir!" He gives a small salute, with his blaster coming up to his chest.

"What's the sitrep?"

The trooper shakes his head. "Not good, both of our Walkers are down. As you were taking down that thing, a bunch of Covies snuck up and with their green launchers. They were able to finish off the last Walker. Then the blast happened, wiping out the majority of the forces. We're handling some survivors." The trooper points back to where the sporadic gun and blaster fire is coming from. With Marines and Clones finishing off wounded Covenant.

"Well that's it then, we have to retreat. The only thing keeping us from falling were our tanks." Cody states as he turns to face the Buck.

The ODST sergeant nods, and looks at Mickey. "Are your explosives still set on the building?"

The explosives expert raises a detonator from his pocket. "My babies are waiting for me to arm and detonate."

"Then it's settled. Let's get everyone inside." Buck says as he starts moving back inside. Cody reaches for his comms, and contacts everyone in the field.

"All units, we're done here! Position is untenable, we are retreating!"

—[30 Minutes later]—

Now in the evacuation point at the city limits. Buck looks out into the ruined city they so desperately fought for. After all the fighting, bleeding and dying, all of it still resulted in the fall of New Momabsa.

The ODST sergeant sighs as he reviews the numbers in his head. Out of the almost two hundred men and women holding out, barely forty made it back in one piece. Only twenty-three out of the one hundred and eleven of those white armored soldiers are still in fighting shape, with only eight of their wounded able to recover and fight again. For Cody's men, that meant eighty casualties out of their hundred and eleven.

But all that sacrifice did luckily mean something. As a large number of civilians, and soldiers were able to successfully reach the evacuation point. Over three thousand civilians and counting reached the point, and a thousand extra soldiers recovered from New Mombasa. With that, ONI was able to transfer a majority of their important data, but not all that they wanted initially. Overall, at least they were able to pull out some small victories over the failure of keeping New Mombasa in UNSC hands.

But for the ODST Sergeant, he still has a stake in the city. He knew his mission was still incomplete, and on top of that, he couldn't leave her behind. After topping off his ammo, he starts to make his way towards an empty Warthog.

"Where do you think you're going mister?" He turns around to find his whole squad plus Cody looking at him. With Romeo giving him a knowing look.

"I lost something…" Buck starts as he looks back towards the city. "And I think I know where to find her."

"Not without us Gunny, remember? We're your team." Dutch knocks on his own chest plate.

"It's risky."

"No shit, that's why we're coming with you." Mickey said as he passed by him and mounted onto the Warthog's turret.

Gunny looks at the new addition to their squad. "And how 'bout you. Your guys took a lot of losses today, they'll need you."

"And I still have one guy left, plus my General. You need all the help you can get, and I'm getting my guys back too." Cody stood firm, now weidling a BR55, with his other gun hanging by his hip.

Buck shook his head, chuckling at the sight of his team. He wasn't laughing at them per say, but was just glad he had a bunch of boys who were willing to jump back into Hell for him.

"All right, let's ride."

---

"You guys are going down to level nine too? Huh, guess I could use the backup…"

The cop said as he was the one to first jump down to level nine. Both Boil and the Rookie look at each other, with them seeing the suspicion through their visors.

"Do you trust this guy? Cause sure don't." The Clone said as he racked his shotgun.

The Rookie shook his head, as he too reloaded his own shotgun, and jumped down first. With Boil following behind, the trio exits to a much colder, but equally dark hallway like in the level above them.

With all three of them sporting shotguns, they pretty much broke through Brute lines. With the ape-like aliens being eviscerated by such close quarter weapons. It made the Grunts panic and flee. With punches finishing them off, a group of Brutes and their Chieftain all now stood in their way.

"Kill them! Don't let them pass!" The War Chieftain shouts out as it handles a massive plasma turret. It starts spraying plasma in almost all directions, almost hitting some of its own.

For the Rookie, he and the cop just deal with the other Brutes rushing them. Often taking only one or two shots to kill one. For Boil, due to his armor standing out, it caught the attention of the Chieftain.

Boil obviously sees this, and with one other Brute charging for him, the Clone gets close and shoots the Brute. Instantly, its armor shatters, and the Clone takes advantage of its stunned state as he grabs onto the alien. Using the unarmored Brute, Boil uses it as a shield, as he rushes forward towards the Chieftain. The Chieftain itself is still holding down the trigger, with now the dead shield Brute just being unnecessarily riddled with plasma. Now close enough, Boil throws the corpse onto the Chieftain, causing it to stumble a bit. With it distracted, Boil empties his shotgun onto the Chieftain.

Shot, after shot, after shot, with the war chieftain's head basically mush and bones. Looking around, seeing how there's no more Brutes in sight, the Clone calls it out.

"Clear!" Looking back, he sees the Rookie and the cop approach.

The Rookie nods at him, and the cop starts. "Troopers, hold up a sec. I gotta check on a personal issue…" The cop rushes ahead of them, leaving both the Rookie and the Clone trooper with suspicion.

"I think this bantha fodder is with that police chief Kinsler. You know? From the audio recordings we've been listening to all night." Honestly now, Boil was glad to hear Sadie's story. Because right now, the effects of her story are affecting them. "He did say he gotta check up on 'the doc' by himself."

The Rookie places a firm hand on Boil's shoulder, giving him a small shake.

"I'll be careful, you too okay?"

The ODST nods, as they follow behind the cop. As they approach a very frozen room, they see said cop in an argument with Vergil.

"CRIME SCENE. RESTRICTED ENTRY."

"Shut up, Vergil! You hear me!?"

"ICY CONDITIONS. CHAINS REQUIRED."

"Freaking machine! The whole city's gone to hell…" He looks back to his two companions, then points to Boil. "You, come with me inside. I may need your help." Then turns to the Rookie. "And you wait here, watch for hostiles."

The cop moves into the room, with Boil giving the Rookie a glance. "I'll be careful." With a final nod, the Clone moves into the room.

The cop is waiting for him in the corridor, and then moves with Boil to the end of the room. "It's really cold here." Boil shivers.

"Yeah, meant to suppress a fire." The cop responds as they enter the frozen room.

A sheet of ice engulfs the entire room, with electronics still functioning inside. At the end of the room, a camera for Vergil is watching them intently, ever vigilant. But just a little to the left, crumbled down beside the wall is a frozen corpse of a worker. Or maybe not just a simple worker, but of a very specific man. Boil looked intently at it.

"Is that-"

His shotgun is kicked from his hands, and a punch is delivered to the side of his head. Stumbling away disorientated, Boil looks back up to see the cop aiming his shotgun at him.

"Get on your knees, take off your helmet, and hands in the air. Now!"

With his hands raised above his shoulders, the Clone trooper warily eyes the cop. "You don't want to do this." He said in a calm manner.

"I see that other weapon on your thigh, get rid of it and drop it with your shotgun."

Boil groaned, as he slowly reached for his empty DC-15S. "It's empty."

"I don't care, and get that submachine from behind your back too. I see it."

Sighing, he removes both of the weapons off his body, and drops it where his shotgun is. "Listen, we can all just walk away, alright? The Covenant is already here, no one else needs to die."

But the cop aims as his grouped up weapon and fires. The shot from his gun practically disables Boil's weaponry.

"Kinsler gave me real specific instructions: make sure the doc's dead, and double sure no one knows about it." But before he could say anymore, a glance back at where they came reveals the ODST coming into the room.

Reacting quickly, he aims to take a shot at the Rookie. But the ODST scrambles to the side wall as the cop takes another shot of his own with his shotgun. Using a terminal on the left side of the room as cover, the Rookie practically dives for it.

As the cop takes another shot, Boil gets up and moves to disarm the cop. But said cop is too quick. Racking another shot and switching targets, he fires another shot. This time hitting the Clone's arm.

"AARGH!" Boil grunts as the 8-gauge absolutely rips apart his left arm, leaving it a hanging mess of muscle and bone. The Clone collapses on the ground, using his only other functioning right arm to examine his bloody left arm.

Another rack of the shotgun, and the cop aims it at Boil's vulnerable head. "Listen here ODST, I want to get out of here alive. But I can't do that with you on my ass, so here's the deal. I walk out here with your friend, and you let me leave. Once I get to the surface, I'll let your friend go. Got it?"

But there's only silence behind the terminal.

"Hey, are you even listening!? That's the deal, let me leave, your friend stays alive!"

But still no answer.

"Fuck it! I might as well blow your friend's brain o-"

"Let him go!"

The only thing that rips Boil's attention away from his gutted left arm, is the foreign sound of a voice. Looking at the source, it comes from behind the terminal. His eyes widened.

"Oh, so mister silent protagonist decides to speak out once his friends are in danger. Well guess what, the offer still stands, or your friend here is gonna get it."

He won't honor his own deal, that is what the Rookie knows for sure. Listening to how these crooked cops act through the audio recordings that Vergil has been getting them to listen to is a god send at the moment. The only way he could help Boil at the moment is to take him out, especially for what he's done to his friend.

Readying his M7S, all it takes is a quick lean and a pull of the trigger, and Boil's fine. That's all it takes. Remembering where the cop's standing, he aims roughly in the direction, and leans out.

Only for him to realize something. With the cop on his sights, he realizes that in a city desolate of any human life, and full of Covenant patrols, the one human life he stumbles upon that isn't Boil, he's going to kill. In a night where he's been killing nothing but Covenant forces, and remembering that one part of Sadie's story in the NMPD lobby. Humans killing humans while an alien invasion is happening just outside. Right now, he's about to kill one of his own.

The Rookie hesitates.

It costs him.

The resounding sound of a shotgun blast. A friendly face that he's come to know and care for, pulverizes before him. A friend… lost. All in the hands of his fellow human.

Jonathan Doherty pulls the trigger completely down, a hail of bullets pelts the corrupt cop. He doesn't let go of the trigger, until he's out of ammo.

Jonathan stands there, stunned. His empty SMG still raised, frozen in the reality that comes back to him after his weapon clicks empty. Lowering the gun, he looks down to see Boil's body, slumped on the ground. As dead as the three other corpses.

He approaches Boil's body, he can't even stand to see his head and just focuses and looks at the rest of his body. His breathing is ragged, as the one friend he's made is now gone. Someone who he got to know while wandering the city above, someone who had his back, someone who he thought he'll have a beer with when the war's over. Gone.

But it wasn't just that, something about Boil's death disturbed him greatly. He felt like he himself had just dodged a bullet. Or more like Boil took that bullet for him. All the more reason Jonathan is mournful of the loss.

Blinking and flickering lights gets his attention, and looking at a terminal on the wall, next to what he believes to be 's body, he sees Vergil beckoning him to it. He groggily gets up, still mourning the loss of his friend. Approaching the terminal, he half-heartedly activates it.

"Escalation."

"Mike... I want you to live."

"I killed your father an hour ago."

"Call me what you like, but the world will call me a hero."

"Vergil. Open the doors."

"Sadie, sweetheart… You make me so very, very proud."

Jonathan is still leaning onto the wall after the audio recording is done playing. He realizes what this whole thing has been about, Vergil. Their mission, the whole reason why he and Boil listened to all those recordings. All because Vergil needed them.

And just like Sadie had to move on from her father's death, now he needed to move on as well. After all they've been through, Boil would've liked it if he completed their mission.

"WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENI-"

"WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE IN-"

"WE APOLOGIZE FO-"

"WE APOLOG-"

"WE APOLOGIZE-"

"WE APOLOGIZE-"

"WE APOLOGIZE-"

Jonathan gently knocks on the wall, indicating to Vergil that he's okay. He knew Vergil was sorry for Boil's death, and he appreciated it.

Looking back at Boil's body, he sees his helmet lying on the other side of the room. He goes to it, and picks it up. He hopes that this is something like grabbing his dog tags. Putting it in his backpack, he gives one last look at the camera.

The camera is still looking at him, and before Jonathan leaves the room, he gives Vergil a determined nod.

---

"Buck? Who knows if he can hear me but… I'm sorry. I should have told you more about this mission, more.. about everything."

Dare deactivate her comms, both her hands slide down her face as she thinks about their current situation.

Her and Kenobi have manage to get to sublevel nine, right where they need to be. But there's a hive down here, and she doesn't have the ammo to deal with it.

"I'm sorry if I'm not as useful as Parangosky said I am." The Jedi master apologizes, as he stares down onto the Superintendent's central hub.

But Dare shakes her head. "No, no, this is all my fault. I wasn't very forthcoming about this mission, and now…" She looks around in the room she locked them in. "Now, we're here. Plus you're still pretty proficient with your lightsaber. We got out of some tight fights, especially getting down here. You're more useful than you think."

Obi-Wan laughs. "Yes, but it was you who did most of the work. Neutralizing the majority of the Covenant that we've encountered, you brought us far into the mission. Back in my Galaxy, many would be very impressed, including me."

But the ONI Captain refused to look at him. "But I still got us here, with potentially no help coming for us."

"We'll find a way out." The Jedi says as he walked to her, and rested a hand on her shoulder. "We got this far, surely we'll be able to complete the mission." As if fate was listening in on them, there was a knock by the door.

Slipping back to her cold demeanor, Dare swiftly went into action. Pulling out her pistol and aiming at a part of the door. When the door opens, her aim is true as it's pointed directly at the head of an ODST on the other side.

"It's you! I thought… never mind, what was your name again?" But before Dare could continue, the sounds of more creepy crawlies resonate from behind the Rookie. "Inside! Now!" They both keep their weapons trained on the hallway that the Rookie came from, as he enters and Dare locks the door.

"You're the one that was asleep in his pod." Kenobi approaches the Rookie, with the ODST looking at him with a tilted head. "You probably don't know me, but my name is Obi-Wan Kenobi."

The Rookie looks at the Jedi up and down, and gives him a firm nod.

"By any chance, have you seen the rest of your squad? Such as Sergeant Buck?"

Sadly, the Rookie shakes his head. Out of his vision, Obi-Wan hears a sigh coming from the ONI Captain.

The Jedi grimaced. "Well, besides your squad and Captain Dare, I came with another soldier. His name is Boil, have you seen him?"

But the soldier in front of him just froze, his head straight as he stared back at the Jedi rather intently. Before he could ask, the ODST took off his backpack, and reached inside. Pulling out a familiar helmet the Jedi knew all too well, and wordlessly handed it over to him.

"Oh… I see." Obi-Wan takes the helmet and examines it. "He didn't make it." The Jedi looks at him, and notices how timid the ODST has become. It didn't take much effort, nor his abilities in the Force to recognize a soldier in mourning. Slumped shoulders, avoiding his eyes even though he's wearing a helmet, the obvious scratching of his nape. The ODST in front of him is regretful. "I'm sure you did everything you could, thank you." But he shook his head, and walks away, towards the watching ONI captain.

"I hate to break up the moment, but we still have a mission to complete." Dare said as she began to walk to the other door on the far side of the room. "You're just what I needed. Some idiots blew up the building above us, waking up the entire hive." She points to the window, and the Rookie sees a drone flying by. "Down there? That's the Superintendent. The AI that runs every system in the city. My mission… our mission, is to secure the Superintendent's data. With that, our secondary objective is to recover an asset for him." She points at the Jedi master, as he too looks surprised by the news.

"This is the first time I'm hearing this, what is this asset for me?" The Jedi walks towards her.

"I genuinely don't know. All I know is that it could be something related to you. What I do know is that some archaeologists poking around some ancient yet advanced ruins found it. It didn't look like it belonged there, so ONI took an interest. Now it's here." Dare opened up, with the Rookie feeling more motivated now he knows more about the very mission he's on. "Don't get too excited. The problem is, there's only one way in from here… right through the hive. It would've been suicide to go with just the two of us, and we were hoping for some back up. Guess what you're it."

The Rookie nods, as he looks ready for combat.

Dare moves for the exit, then looks back at him. "You've been fighting on the surface, with some help." She looks back at the Jedi, who's still holding onto Boil's helmet. "The surface has a lot of patrols now, unless you both were hiding in your pods, you must know your stuff." She readies her pistol. "Show me."

"And before we go." Obi-Wan goes up to the Rookie, and holds out Boil's helmet. "I don't have anything to clip it onto. Is it okay if you put it back in your pack?"

The Rookie looks down to the helmet, and back up to the Jedi. With a nod, he turns around. Understanding, the Jedi places the helmet back into the backpack.

"Alright, let's do this." Dare said, now leading the way.

---

"Open this door, traitor!"

"SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS. ALL DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON A LEASH."

"By the prophets… You will pay for inso-" The Chieftain immediately dies as a lightsaber is activated on his back, impaling and killing it.

Before the other two Brutes could respond, both the Rookie and Dare swiftly take them out using their knives. Stabbing through their necks and twisting them, instantly killing them. The fight is over before it begins.

Dare looks impressively at the other two. "Nice work you two. And you…" She looks at the Rookie. "Something tells me you're not actually a Rookie, after we went through the hive relatively well."

Said ODST just shrugged, clearly still humble after all the impressive feats he performed.

"You don't talk much, do you." Obi-Wan says, and the Rookie shakes his head.

"WELCOME. ACCESS GRANTED."

They ready their weapons, and move into the structure. Passing by a corridor leads them to another corridor with a scanning function.

"Nice and slow. Check your corners." Dare cautions as they move slowly and into their main objective.

Entering the data center, the room is almost pitch black, with both Dare and the Rookie activating their flashlights. Almost as a way to show off, Obi-Wan activates his lightsaber, greatly lighting up the room, and Dare looks at him with an incredulous look. But Obi-Wan remains smug, as he turns his attention to the room.

There's something else in the room. For some reason, Obi-Wan feels it through a source he's long missed ever since he arrived in this Galaxy. The familiar sense of the Force, emanating nearby.

Before he could trace it, he heard a whistle. Looking back, he sees the Rookie beckoning something out, and turning towards where they're looking, to see an interesting looking alien. An oddly adorable looking creature that's rather bulbous, with some tentacles, yet a small head.

"We've seen them before on other ops, but we've never gotten this close." Dare said as she placed her pistol on the ground. "Best we could tell; they're prisoners, or slaves. Either way, they don't like the Covenant anymore than we do."

The creature approaches them, getting more comfortable with their presence. "I have never seen anything like you, and I've definitely seen many aliens before." Obi-Wan says as the creature gets close to him. Holding out its head, the Jedi couldn't help but pet it. "Aren't you adorable."

"The slipspace event fried most of the Superintendent's circuits. I thought it might be finishing the job, but… now I see that you weren't trying to hurt the Superintendent." Dare too reaches out, and also pets the alien. "You were trying to fix it."

The creature turns to its side, emphasizing something on him. "Leave that to me." Obi-Wan says as he removes what looks to be an explosive device. A gentle nudge, and the device seemingly slides off. The Jedi gently places the explosive device down, and returns his attention to the creature.

"ONI calls them Engineers, believes they're some sort of biological supercomputers. If I'm right, this one's taken the Superintendent's data and combined it with its own." She pets the Engineer, and remembers something. "Which reminds me…" She starts to look around the room. Spotting her secondary objective, at the corner of the room is a body of an ONI agent, right next to the body is a case. "There, Obi-Wan with me. Rookie, whatever you see or hear stays in this room, that's an order."

The Rookie nods, as he mainly focuses on the friendly Engineer before him.

Obi-Wan follows Dare to the body, more specifically the case. It's at the moment, the Jedi feels more of the Force. But this source of the Force feels… disconnected somehow. Approaching the case, Dare crouches down, and opens it. A blue light emanates from within, and the ONI captain turns it towards the Jedi.

"It's for you."

Within the case, is what looks like a clear glass cylinder, almost like a containment device. But it's what within the cylinder that grabs the Jedi's attention. Strangely, it almost looks like a Holocron, except it isn't a cube in shape. Instead, it's in a dodecahedron shape. It's also more or a silver, gray color, with black metal outlines instead of the gold he's used to seeing.

Grabbing the container it's held in, he already feels the Force trying to imbue him, trying to go through him like it does in his Galaxy. He's barely tried to use the Force in this galaxy, as it causes great pain, and exhausts him almost immediately. Now, he uses it to open this strange artifact.

He reaches out, what's left of The Force within him extends over to the strange artifact. It starts to rotate each corner of the strange shape. Once each corner turns roughly ninety degrees, it opens up, much like a Holocron. Upon opening, he doesn't feel or see a wealth of information. But what he does feel, is the Force, and only the Force!

A rush of the Force flows through his body. A familiar warmth spreads throughout him, like breathing again after spending too long underwater. He feels alive, like his Midi-chlorians are being revived at the spot. After the rush of energy, he finally feels at peace. Like all is right, like he's returned home. But when he opens his eyes, he's still in the data core. He's still in the Milky Way, yet he feels the Fore coursing through him like he's back home.

He knows what this is.

"Obi-Wan? Are you okay?" He turns to face a concerned Dare.

"I'm better than okay. I'm back, my Force abilities, they're back!" He lights up, a smile with tears threatening to come out.

"What is that though?" She asks when looking at the object in his hands.

Obi-Wan glances back at it. "I believe it's some sort of Force Artifact. But instead of providing information, like Jedi Holocrons do, it just provides… The Force! It's like a source of energy, a source of The Force! I feel like I'm back in my Galaxy!" The Jedi exclaims as he Force pulls the explosive device that came from the Engineer. Said device flew right into the Jedi's stretched hand, confirming that his abilities have indeed returned. With that done, he attaches the glass cylinder to the back of his belt, keeping it close as it provides him with The Force. "Unfortunately, I can only feel the Force imbuing me with its energy. I am still disconnected from the greater Force from my Galaxy. But otherwise, I'm back to my capabilities."

"I see…" Dare said, but remembering that they aren't alone. Turning back to the Rookie, who she knows is just gawking at the Jedi behind her. "Remember my orders Rookie!"

The quickly shakes the Rookie from his stupor, as he nods quickly and gives a small salute.

Then the sound of a notification caught their attention. The Engineer floats to the terminal and activates it, with the screen showing a view of a security camera. Above them are three jetpack brutes landing on the roof.

"Damn! Those buggers must have raised the alarm!" Dare exclaims, with Obi-Wan is quick to reassure her.

"No worries, I can make quick work of them." He said, pulling out his lightsaber hilt from his belt.

With the group still watching the security camera, it turns to the entrance to the data core. There, two figures emerge from a door, both covered in green viscera and grim.

"Buck!"

"Cody!"

Both the Jedi and ONI Captain gasp as they see them.

Buck activates his comms, and the camera switches to get a closer view of the two. "Veronica? Where the hell are you?"

"Data center, but we're coming out!"

"We?"

But Dare doesn't elaborate. "No time to explain, I repeat, do not shoot anything pink!" She says as she looks back at Obi-Wan, who's still gripping the hilt of his lightsaber. "Or anything with a blue laser sword."

A different voice answers her. "Blue laser sword? Is General Kenobi with you?"

"Yes Cody, I'm here. But we're coming out, be prepared!" Kenobi answers.

"Yes sir!"

"Whatever you say, just come on!" Buck finishes as the group then moves away from the terminal. They all move for the exit, stopping before they leave the room.

"Those Brutes are here for the Engineer. They'll kill it if they get the chance." Dare said as she slid the frame of her pistol back, seeing it loaded. She looks back at the Engineer. "You, stay behind me. Okay?"

But the Jedi moves in front of them all, more confident than Dare had ever seen him. "And all of you, stay behind me."

"Bu-"

"Trust me, Parangosky made the right choice in bringing me in for this mission. You'll finally see a Jedi at work." But before he moves forward, he stops to see something reflecting off of him. As a matter of fact, something is reflecting off of all of them!

"The Engineer still has shields, but they won't last long in a firefight." The ONI Captain said as she looked back at Kenobi. "Take point Jedi, clear a path to Buck."

That's all he needed to hear.

Running to the outside, Obi-Wan could hear the sounds of jetpacks descending down. Looking up, he sees three Brutes coming down to him. Although he acts first, as he first throws his lightsaber at the one on the right. With the Force, the lightsaber impales the first Brute, with it slumping dead and the pack steadily descending its corpse. With the second Brute, he just Force jumps to it, landing on its back and thrusts his lightsaber down through the crown of its head. Using his body weight, he tilts the corpse towards the third jetpack Brute, and jumps off. Once landing, the Jedi watches as they both crash into each other in a beautiful blue explosion.

But that isn't all of them, as a Phantom hovers on the left side of the Platform, dropping off a single Brute, but many, many Grunts. Obi-Wan Jedi dashes right into the middle of the fray, causing confusion to form in the massive lance. With a single swing he decapitates the Brute, and instantly the lance turns to chaos. All the Grunts running around in a panic. He cuts some more of them down before looking across the platform to see another Phantom pulling up.

It drops a single Brute again, but this time many, many Jackals. This time, the Brute throws a spike grenade at Obi-Wan. But a simple Force push changes its trajectory, and it comes hurdling back to the primal alien. It sticks onto it, as it roars into a rage. It tries to rush Obi-Wan, even flatten some of its own allies. But it isn't long until it explodes, killing a fair share of Jackals. With both lances in complete disarray, it doesn't take long for everyone to clear out the Covenant forces.

Both friendly groups sandwiching the remaining Covenant forces, the hail of gunfire neutralizes the remaining Grunts and Jackals. With the area clear, Obi-Wan stood still as he caught his breath. Looking back up, he realizes that everyone is staring at him, only Cody looking proudly at him with a hand on his hip and his chest puffed out.

"It's good to see you back in action, General." He says, with Obi-Wan grinning.

"It's a relief to be back. I can finally contribute." The Jedi General said as he examined his hand, feeling The Force through his finger tips.

"Yeah…" Obi-Wan looked to see Buck speaking. "Yeah, congrats. You're taking point for the rest of the journey."

Dare groans.

---

"Whew! Lord, that thing stinks. Kinda reminds me of my-"

Before Buck could say anymore, Dare punches him in the face. The Sergeant stumbles a bit, with Dare shaking her fist from the punch.

He coughs, then looks back at her. "What was that for!?"

"Abandoning the mission." She said coldly.

"What mission? You dropped off the grid! My squad was scattered-" Before he can continue, Dare walks up to him and gives him a rather passionate kiss. Reacting to the unexpected kiss, Buck relaxes, and even puts an arm around her. But after a moment she releases and walks back a bit. Still at a daze by the kiss, he murmurs. "And that?"

She looks at him sweetly. "For coming back."

As for everyone else in the elevator, they look rather awkward, with the exception of the Jedi. Obi-Wan gave them a genuine smile, happy to see them together. As for the Engineer, Cody and the Rookie, they're the third, fourth, and fifth awkward wheel that just looks at each other and anything around them. With Kenobi basically being the shipper and supportive friend of the couple.

Realizing they have an audience, the couple steps away from each other.

"Thank you." Dare says as she looks away embarrassed.

Buck clears his throat and picks up his helmet. "You did good Rookie, no doubt. Also you too Cody and Wan." The elevator door opens as he's the first to go through. "But we're still not out of this yet."

As Buck leads the group, Dare looks at the Rookie, then at Kenobi. Seeing the genuine smile on the Jedi's face makes her blush even more. She quickly followed behind Buck. Obi-Wan laughs as the rest of the group follows behind the couple.

---

"When did this happen?"

After fighting their way through a Covenant patrol, they make it to the highway. Looking up, they all see multiple Battle Cruisers in the air, hovering around New Mombasa.

"They started showing up right before Cody and I went underground." Dare didn't look too pleased.

"And you waited until now to tell me?" She gave him a critical eye.

With frustration bubbling up once more, Obi-Wan knew that it's time for a lovers quarrel. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was a little busy making sure perfume over here didn't take a round and blow us all up!" He points at the Engineer, with said alien looking rather guilty and floating away. As it passed, Cody gave the creature a comforting pet, but it still kept floating.

"Eddie Buck, always thinking with his gun. You haven't changed one bit."

"Me? What about you? Oh, so full of big ONI secrets, couldn't even give a guy a yes or no answer!"

"That's not fair."

"Oh, you got that right!"

"Uh, I'm pretty sure this isn't the ti-"

"STAY OUT OF THIS!" The couple yells at the Clone Commander at the same time. He decided that it isn't wise to intrude on their conversation.

The Jedi beside him chuckles. "Believe me Cody, you do not want to get in the way of a passionate couple such as the Sergeant and the Captain."

The Clone slowly turns to look at his General. "Sounds like this is coming from experience."

But the Jedi still chuckles. "You can say that."

"I never thought I'd see you again." Dare says with a hint of hurt in her voice.

"Yeah? Well… here I am!" Buck responds, but before they can argue even more, a slipspace jump grabs all of their attention. Another Covenant Cruiser appears above, flying towards the city.

Dare looks back at Buck. "We need to move. Now. Were you too busy to plan our escape?"

Buck was about to put his helmet on, but responded to Dare instead. "I stole a Phantom, right Cody?"

"If in 'I' you actually mean 'we,' then yes. 'We,' as in the rest of the team. We found it while trying to head to you. At a place called, kiko what now?"

"Exactly! We stole a Phantom. Yes. Thank you." Buck did a small bow. "We hid it in the shipyards down the highway." He looks at his Warthog, showing how they don't have room for all of them. "Well... I didn't plan on bringing a lot of people though…"

"Unbelievable…" Dare facepalms, as she shifts her attention to her surroundings. Then she realizes that the Engineer is gone. "The Engineer! Where did it go?" She looks around, and to the others around her. Obi-Wan luckily pays attention, as he points to a nearby Olifant.

Looking at the large vehicle, it honks twice before the hatch opens. The Engineer's tentacle pops out, gesturing to them to hop in.

Dare looks at Cody, and points to him. "You, with me. We're riding that Olifant." She then looks at the other three gentlemen. "Knowing you three, you guys are more efficient in that Warthog." She runs to the Olifant. Cody looks at his General, and at the ODST. With a shrug, he follows after her. Before she climbs in, she looks back at the three, specifically at Buck. "Keep me covered. And try to keep up." With the final word, she hops inside.

Bck with Buck, he slips his helmet back on. "Take my advice Rookie, and you too Wan. If you ever fall for a woman, make sure she's got balls." He nods and moves to the Warthog.

The Rookie looked confused, with the Jedi clearing his throat. "I don't think he completely understood what he just said."

The two run up to the Warthog, with Buck taking the gun. "Take the wheel, Rookie. Wan, take shotgun."

"What?"

"Passenger seat!"

The Rookie hops onto the driver's seat, as Kenobi hops on shotgun, with his lightsaber ignited. With everyone comfortable, the Rookie drives forward, ahead of the garbage Olifant. Up ahead, there's a group of Grunts, some of them having Fuel Rod Cannons. Upon sight, they first panic, but eventually recover and start firing. The two with the Fuel Rods even let out a couple shots. Nothing the Rookie can't handle, as he swerves away, and Buck mows the Grunts down with the Vulcan. By the passenger seat, any Grunt the Rookie misses, Obi-Wan slices down with his lightsaber. Eventually, the group of Grunts are dealt with.

Buck looks back to see the Olifant finally moving. "Hey, uh, Captain? Pick a lane."

"It's a little crowded in here. The Engineer is doing something with the control circuits." Dare responds, there's clear irritation in her voice. "Hey, watch where you put that!"

"Sorry!" Cody's voice is heard through Dare's comms. With the Olifant moving, it also starts hitting the empty cars blocking their way.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Buck exclaims, seeing the Olifant rampaging through the highway.

"Dare, keep it under control. We need that vehicle to keep the asset safe." Obi-Wan activates his comms to address the driving.

"I'm doing the best I can! Just stay out of the way!" Dare snaps back.

The two vehicles move down the road, and after a turn they see a metal door obstructing their way forward. But before the door, there are more Grunts, but they're more or less the same group they faced not too long ago.

This time, Obi-Wan Force jumps out of his seat, and towards the group of Grunts. Landing in the middle of the group, the Jedi start slicing through them, with the little aliens panicking at the quick but deadly enemy. The Rookie manages to swerve off, hitting a bunch of Grunts while also driving past the Jedi.

Looking away to another small group of Gunts, said group is more interested specifically on the incoming Olifant. The Jedi sprints forward, and again does a Force jump. Going high and far, and landing right on top of said Olifant. The group of Grunts that specifically target the Olifant all aim their Fuel Rods, and fire. With Obi-Wan on the vehicle, he stretches his hand out at the green plasma balls hurdling to him. With a Force push, he basically pushes the explosive shot back at the Grunts. With said aliens panicking, like they usually do, but not for long as they're hit with their own shots.

The Olifant stops right in front of the locked doors. "Covenant must have shut these doors. Give the Engineer a second to override the lock!" Dare communicates back to the team.

"Hey Wan, it's gonna be a long drive. You up for it?" Buck asks while looking at the heroic Jedi standing on top of a garbage Olifant.

Obi-Wan groans. "At this point, I don't care what you call me. But yes, I am not as old as I look."

"What I call you? You mean your last name isn't Wan? Isn't your name Obi Wan?"

The Jedi sighs… Alpha-Niner is a team alright.

---

"As much as it pains me to say it but… everyone off the tank!"

They aren't gonna make it to the Phantom. With the stiff resistance they fought along the way, Buck had to call the rest of the squad in to pick them up. Which leads to now, with Kenobi, the Rookie and Buck all dismounting a heavily damaged tank, and pushing forward to the entrance of the Uplift Nature Reserve.

"Veronica, wait here. Wan, Rookie, let's secure that building." Buck said as he led the way for the trio. Obi-Wan had to stop himself from groaning at the name. The ODST sergeant is the only person he has ever met to think his first name is Obi, and his last is Wan. It perplexes the Jedi to no end.

With the two ODSTs clearing the building from two sleeping Grunts, Buck activates his comms again. "Area secure. Veronica, come to us. We'll cover you." They go outside, to the steps of the building to see the ONI captain, and the Clone commander with the Engineer coming to them. Buck activates his comms once more, to communicate with the rest of his squad. "Mickey, what's your ETA?"

"Had to reroute, Gunny. The whole damn city's on fire!" Dare, Cody and the Engineer reach them, and she presses her earpiece before Buck could respond.

"Trooper, I have a tier one asset, VIPs, and a whole bunch of Covenant that want all of us dead. Whatever you're going to do… step on it."

"Yes Ma'am!"

With that settled, Dare looks to see Buck looking at her. "What?" But the ODST sergeant just starts chuckling, and soon Dare laughs with him.

But the laughing stops when Cody looks up in the sky to see incoming. "Hostile Phantom, coming in!" He says, getting into cover.

The Phantom unloads a single lance, with all Grunts and a Brute leading them. But further back, it also drops a full Brute team, one of them having a Fuel Rod Cannon.

"General?" Cody looks at Obi-Wan, with the Jedi looking at the rest of the team.

"All of you focus on the regular lance, I'll deal with the ones at the back."

"You sure that's a good idea?" Buck looks at the Jedi with mild concern. He knows that Obi-Wan can manage, but still, he worries for all those that's somewhat under his command.

The Jedi smiles. "Don't fret Sergeant Buck, I'll be fine." With that, Obi-Wan goes around the side, using the elevated parking lots to circle around the area. He sees the rest of his team engaging the regular lance.

Seeing the all Brute lance coming up, he does a series of jumps and flips to gain their attention. It works as a Fuel Rod Cannon is shot in his direction. Again, using a Force push, he pushes the projectile back the way it came, and destroys most of the Brute lance, with some only having their armors shed.

Jumping down, he uses his speed and mobility to practically glide around the muscle bound aliens. With the flow of his lightsaber, he cuts arms, legs, weapons, of the majority of the surviving Brutes. With a lucky few who got their heads decapitated. The rest of the Brute lance is dealt with, the Jedi looks around to see the rest of his team also finish their part of the Covenant force.

"More Phantoms! Look sharp!" Buck calls out

Said Phantom hovers fight above the Jedi, it isn't long until it drops its fighters. Said fighters are a bunch of Jackals of both shield and sniper variety, but also a pair of Hunters That's the first he's ever seen.

"Wan, get back here!"

"No, I'll deal with the Hunters. Just take care of the Jackals." Before he could hear a response, the Jedi rushed forward towards the Hunters.

The Hunter closest to him starts engaging, shooting its massive plasma cannons at his direction. For as nimble as he is, Obi-Wan manages to dodge the incoming attacks, flipping around and also taking cover wherever he can. Eventually, the Jedi gets close enough, but so does the Hunter. Using its shield, it stomps forward quickly, and brings its shield down with a slam. But the Jedi is of course quicker. Obi-Wan slides, with the shield just missing him. Now behind the Hunter, one dash and a swipe with his lightsaber cuts the Hunter completely in half.

The other Hunter, now enraged, takes aim at the Jedi. But before it could fire, two explosions rocked the ground. Looking at where the second Hunter was, all he saw is what remained of said Hunter. Looking back to where his allies were, up above on the upper parking lot, with the high ground is Cody. Said Clone wields a Spankr rocket launcher, with both barrels smoking.

The Jedi gave the Clone a proud smile. "The high ground, I taught you well Commander."

"Just doing my duty sir!" Clone said with a salute.

With that said, the sound of anti-gravity hover caught the Jedi's attention. Looking up at the highway above him, he sees two massive shots of plasma shooting out, and coming towards their allies' position.

"Wraiths, on the highway!" Dare calls out, as luckily the Wraith's shot misses.

"That's not good!" Buck comments, as the Jedi thinks quickly.

Obi-Wan jumps up to Cody's position, and looks back to see an incoming Phantom. Looking at where he's at, he sees a bunch of empty cars, and hatches a plan. Using the Force, and a lot of concentration, he picks up the car. Bringing it to the forefront, he looks at the Phantom that just starts hovering in place, and launches it.

For Buck, the defense is getting desperate, the Covenant is throwing what they got to eliminate them. Now, they have to fend off against Wraiths and whatever's in that Phantom. As he reloaded his weapon, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Looking up, he sees the Rookie pointing up, presumably at the Phantom. Afterwards, he hears an explosion. Looking back out he sees a car sticking out the Phantom, as the aerial vehicle struggles to remain in the air.

"What the-" His luck turns as the Phantom crashes towards one of the Wraiths. A massive explosion occurs, and that's one less Wraith and Phantom to worry about. "Alright, now I've seen everything…" The ODST's thought is interrupted as in the distance, he could see another Phantom coming in. But this time, this Covenant vessel has friendly tags of the rest of Alpha-Niner in them.

"Yee-Haa! Light 'em up boys!"

"Romeo, got the one on the left?"

"I do, I do, just let me shoot something!"

The friendly Phantom swoops in, right above the last remaining Wraith, and manages to take out its crew.

"For replacements… you men make one hell of a team." Dare said as she walked up beside the ODST Sergeant.

"Just nice to know they really do listen." Buck responds, as he sees the Phantom now hover near them. "C'mon, let's get out of this city." He turns to the Rookie, and to the Jedi and Cody who just arrived back after an impressive display. "Go you guys. Head for the Phantom."

The group make their way to their extraction, with Dutch floating down from the lift. He sees the Engineer, and instantly deduces it to be the tier one asset.

"That thing safe?" He asks.

Buck, checking the area if it's still safe, approaches him. "Long as it don't get hit."

The ground shakes and there's a flash of blue. Looking up, a carrier comes in via slipspace. It arrives right above them, with its energy projector charging. The Engineer sees this, and under the stress it refuses to move, completely panicking.

Never leaving its side, Dare tugs onto the Engineer's tentacles. "Come on! Damn it, move!"

But Obi-Wan is quick to the Engineer's side. "Easy, easy, it's okay. We are going to get you out of here." The Engineer is still frozen in place, fear taking over. "You're going to be safe, we promise. You're going to survive, and we'll make sure more of your kind will too. Just follow us, okay?" The Engineer starts to calm, as it looks to the Jedi with vulnerability. "Just follow us, follow me, follow her. Okay?" He points to everyone, especially to Dare, who got it out.

"Come on, we have to go!" Buck Exclaims to both of them.

Finally overriding the fear, the Engineer floats to the Phantom's grav lift, and goes up. It's followed by everyone else, as they get safely inside the ship. With everyone accounted for, the Phantom pulls up, and flies away. Just in time before the carrier starts glassing the area they left.

---

"We went through hell for that?"

Romeo points at the Engineer, with it cooing adorably.

"Well, not just that. Bearded guru over here also got his superpowers back, apparently." Buck just casually said, completely missing Dare glare.

"Superpowers?"

"What?"

"Can we have some too?"

"In case you all haven't realized, everything you all hear or see today remains strictly classified. Understood?" Dare looks at everyone, with them more or less grumbling about how it's business as usual.

Buck looks unashamed for what he said. "Sorry Veronica, can't keep that many secrets from them. I trust them."

The ONI Captain just shrugs. "It's fine. They'll just be sworn to secrecy, as always."

The two look out into the ruined city of New Mombasa, relieved that they just got out of the city alive. Looking further out, they see the Covenant Carriers and Cruisers all glassing something on the ground, almost like they're digging for something.

"Looks like they've found what they're looking for." Dare says, looking out to the glassing of New Mombasa. But Buck just looks back at her. Staring back at the ONI Captain with careful, but caring eyes.

"What about you? What about us?" She looks at him with a bit of surprise.

But soon she holds onto his hand. "Win this war… then ask me again." She says with a small smile. Comfortable with her, he stands next to her.

On the other side of the Phantom, the Rookie has Boil's helmet out. He looks at it, thinking back at what he could've done to change the outcome. As he examines the helmet, he doesn't notice a helmetless Commander Cody approaching him. As soon as he gets close, the Clone commander coughs, getting the ODST's attention.

Turning back, his eyes landed on him. "I hear you have Boil's helmet." Cody says, looking at the Rookie, but also taking a few glances at the helmet in his hands. The Rookie looks down at the object, before offering it to the Commander. "Thank you, my men don't really have something as physical like your dog tags. But if there was something like that, it'd actually be our helmets." Cody explained as he gently took the helmet.

The Rookie just gives the Commander a small nod in return.

"You know, I'm not really good at these sorts of things, so I apologize if I say something bad. But, I like to believe he's in a better place." Cody looks away, cringing to himself. "I know it sounds… generic, but it's something I like to think about. Us soldiers have to deal with death a lot, so it just… gets you thinking." He sighs, looking at the view below him. "After all we go through, it just has to be for something, right? I liked to think of it for something better, and that the men we lost, like Boil, are in a better place because of it." He looks back at the Rookie, and extends his arm to him.

"Thank you, for being there for him. Through everything."

The Rookie looks at the Clone, and back down at his hand. Looking more intently at the Commander, he realizes how much he looks exactly like Boil. But the ODST just thinks it's because of their brothers, or related at least. Which punches the Rookie in the gut that much harder, seeing the family of the man he failed to protect, comforting him. Jonathan deeply appreciates the gesture.

He takes the Clone's hand, and shakes it.

---

"BREAKING NEWS! ANOTHER BLACKOUT!"

"This time, we had just received word that all communications to Ord Mantell had been lost!"

"This is now the third planet that we have lost communications to following Scipio two weeks ago!"

"There is panic in the streets, as many start to wonder what is happening, and wh-?"

"Both The Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems refuse to release any information about these blackouts. But what reports are now speculating is that the Clone Wars have started to slow down, yet there is a massive military buildup on both sides of this war! Could this be another phase of the war, or a shift in attention to the blackouts?"

"In an unprecedented move, peace talks between the Republic and the Confederacy have begun to discuss peace talks. Many have speculated that this is truly in response to the blackouts!"

"We have lost yet another planet. So far, there are no witnesses to any of the blackouts-"

"Don't you see it! We're being INVADED!"

"They're coming here." Mace said as he looked out into Coruscant. Looking at the large buildup of Venators in the sky above. Standing in the empty Council chambers with him is Master Yoda, who too is worried about what is happening.

"Feel it as well, I do." Yoda says, a disturbed look on his aged face.

"Yes, a gap in the Force. A gap that is making its way here." Mace said grimly, as he turned his attention to the data pad in his hand. He scrolls past the many reports regarding this unknown force, as well as any reports regarding their missing Jedis and Senator.

"Trust in the Force, we must. Our greatest strength, it is." Yoda turns back, facing away from the sight of the city.

"Let's just hope it is." Mace responds, with silence descending upon the two.

---

AN: The reason why this is very long, is because to make up for lost time. Sorry if I haven't been posting for awhile, shit happens in real life. But I do remember wanting to make a very long chapter, not because there will be another hiatus. But because, well, you know… make up for lost time. Plus this chapter is basically like an entire arc in one chapter. Like two to three chapters in one.

Alright, I do have something to say, first being this chapter and the chapter before this. There is something you need to know, I'm my own editor. Like I said in a previous story, no one knows I write fanfiction, and I would rather keep it that way. But because of that, I have to edit this myself. So… in order to do that, once I complete a chapter, I usually read it twice, in hopes that I catch the majority of grammar and punctuation errors. With this being my longest chapter, I have only read this once, because I'm actually in a bit of a hurry.

With that said, maybe in a week or two weeks from now, I may upload an updated version of chapter 4 and 5. Hopefully I can, hopefully. On top of correcting errors, I usually know I've made a good chapter, if I read through it without cringing. I sadly cringed while re-reading chapter 4. So yeah, I want to change some things in chapter 4.

One more thing I want to say, the next chapter will be back with Six, Chief, Ahsoka, Aayla and more. This time, it's the start of Delta Halo of Halo 2. Don't worry, that will be coming up soon as well. I'm aiming for next month, but it will not be as long as this chapter! It'll be the regular 10k-15k word long chapter.

Am I missing anything? I don't think so, and if I am, I'll just either update this story or my profile description, thingy…. yeah.

Anyways, that is all! If you spot any grammatical or punctuation errors, I sincerely apologize! I know how those kinds of things can really ruin the immersion of a story! And like I said earlier, I'll try my best to update this chapter and the chapter 4 as well.

Till then! Peace out everyone!

Fun Fact: Did you know? There was a moment in this story that I actually almost planned on Mickey dying? So why didn't I kill him? Cause the story was getting too long...

P.S. If this story for some reason feels rushed in any sort of way, that's because it actually kind of is. I'm leaving for a family trip, and I wanted to update this story because I actually replayed Halo ODST recently. That's largely why this chapter exists. But don't worry, next chapter is definitely going to back to Six and the crew! See you then!