Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Hunter and Soldier. Enjoy the 4000-word chapter. I don't own Halo, Microsoft, and 343 do.

(2526, April 14th, UNSC Marathon Class Heavy cruiser Leviathan 12:55 PM)

Cal loaded an MA5B across her hip and an M6D. She turned to see a glint of something flying towards her head. She lanced an armored hand up and gripped a combat knife that had flown from Gram's arm.

She nodded to her teammate and tossed an M90 to him as he grabbed the gun. He strapped the gun to his hip over an M6D and secured a BR55 to his back.

"Search and destroy?" Gram questioned as they boarded a grouping of SOEIV drop pods. "They always pick search and destroy. You have fun with the guns, Sol. I'll make sure to watch your ass like last time." Gram added as Solomon rolled his eyes under his helmet.

"Cal? Make sure your partner doesn't get himself shot." Solomon questioned as the Spartans felt the pods lock around them. "He'd lose it if something happened to you." Solomon before their pods were locked in.

There would be no support. Cal had already heard the remaining UNSC soldiers below… If they hadn't been slain, had orders to keep a low profile. All three of them had their orders.

Cal watched data flare across her visor as it displayed their dual objectives. All read over by them 4-5 times.

Solomon-069: Destroy enemy cruiser, provide a window of opportunity.

Cal-141/Gram-077: Secure UNSC crash site, locate enemy VIP, eliminate and secure exfiltration.

Cal checked the comm signals. Solomon's were clear as usual, only checking to see if it was secure. Grams were entirely silent; he was probably busy mentally checking the tactical geometry that that Leviathan had secured before deployment.

"According to STARS? Covenant ships have shifted to low orbital patrol." Stanforth stated as their SOEIVs shifted position. "It won't be getting in that will be your issue. It will be getting out. Get the job done, Sierra." Stanforth added before there was a blink of motion as the Leviathan vanished.

Gram and Cal watched as Solomon's pod adjusted its descent. Cal knew he'd meet up with them after he accomplished his objective. It would not be easy, however… But they wouldn't have sent Spartans if it was easy.

Cal closed her eyes, as did Gram. Both Spartans were ready for their assignment, just like it had been years ago. Cal also knew Gram would put keeping her alive as high as their mission objective. It annoyed her, but she was their sniper just as much as their commander, it only made sense when it came down to it.

"Radio silence for now," Cal ordered as both Spartans gave green beeps over their radio.

Cal was quiet, aware they could perish on this mission, just like every UNSC soldier. However? They were aware of how this mission was quite possibly a one-way trip, it was something every spartan prepared for.

Their pods continued to streak through the vastness of space. The silence was quite deafening towards the soldiers as if it was someone else.

"This is UNSC Romeo Star, Covenant forces have begun an assault." They heard as their pods continued downwards. "If anyone can hear me? Enemy forces have sent an advance force downwards. We need reinforcements." They heard as Gram flashed a light which Cal picked up.

'Allied forces are to be protected, but they're considered secondary to the objective.' Cal thought to herself as she let out a slight sigh.

Cal was quite curious if they were soldiers that could be protected. How could their ships have survived covenant assault? She'd ask if anyone was left alive below.

"I thought enemy forces had wiped out UNSC forces." Gram put in as Cal turned in the pod. "Sol? I'd talk to them, learn enemy info." Gram stated before his signal dropped.

Cal was silent, pondering if both soldiers were going to address the UNSC forces. They had been ordered to link up with UNSC forces, but not to the detriment of their assignment.

"Just worry about your objective, I'll deal with mine," Solomon said, a twinge of emotion playing on his lips. "069 out," Solomon added before their assignment was done and over with.

Their pods all deployed parachutes, spinning away from each other as they did so. There was something to be said about the fact that they were dicing through the atmosphere like this.

The pods all cut into the planet's sky. They moved away as both Cal and Gram were ready for their mission. The duo braced for their pods to land so they could move.

"Comm silence," Cal whispered as she felt her pod slam into the surface of the planet. "Hmm," Cal added as she hit the pod's hatch to free herself.

She noticed a motion that made her ready herself for combat. If there was something to kill? She'd deal with it.

The person-sized pod exploded in a flash of fire and smoke as she brought up her MA5B and swept the area. She hummed to herself as the spartan checked her HUD. There was a variety of stones and trees that dotted the landscape around her. Cal also knew this place was tropical the further one went down the hill at the moment.

There was the sound of gunfire downhill which made her bring up her rifle as she slowly walked forward. She could predict this would be a very long and tedious mission the longer it dragged on.

Cal slowly made her way down the mountainous terrain. She noticed movement on her radar and brought her rifle to bear at the moment. She nodded while she hung her head. She slowly stepped over a jackal.

"Panic!" Cal heard as she fired a burst of gunfire and watched the grunt collapse to the ground. "Ugh," Cal added while she shook her head.

There was a small blur as Gram popped out of the area she had passed through. Gram's rifle smoked slightly as the spartan shook his head, a sign that there was trouble ahead of them at the moment.

"Rough landing?" Cal asked through the speakers which gained a nod to her. "We need to move forward," Cal added to which she nodded to her friend.

Cal brought up her hands and pointed to herself before nodding towards their destination. Gram nodded as the two Spartans moved through the location. Cal noticed a few dead grunts and jackals to which Gram was silent. She nodded as she noticed all of them were fresh kills.

"Why did you not get a welcome party?" Gram asked to herself while he sighed to himself. "I'm sure that there will be more. There are patrols all over the islands. They're looking around the island when it comes down to it." Gram stated to which Cal nodded as she leaned on a tree.

"Maybe I got lucky," Cal stated before there was a sound overhead.

The Spartans swept their weapons up while a phantom roared overhead while both shared a look. Gram pivoted towards his friend and commander. She pointed 3 fingers towards the ground which garnered a nod from him. Gram lowered his rifle.

"You good?" Gram questioned while he and Cal slowly marched into the jungle. "Hmm," Gram added while he slowed his march to cover their six.

Both Spartans were constantly checking their surroundings while they hiked into the jungle. Cal looked at her partner who pivoted towards her. She was well aware of what happened if enemies showed.

They arrived at the edge of the island. There were a few lances of Covenant soldiers ahead. Cal spotted a crimson elite who was in charge of what looked like a dozen grunts and at least 2 jackals. Both Spartans shared a look.

Gram crooked a thumb, the signal for a spartan being curious. Cal looked at the lance and noticed something from the crimson alien who was marching around. He clutched a datapad in his hand, one of UNSC design. She frowned and started to look at Gram who had also noticed it.

Cal placed her assault rifle on the ground and started to grab her sniper rifle. She needed to know what the datapad held. The knowledge of the UNSC tactical date was too vulnerable to leave it to fate.

Gram brought up his battle rifle while waiting for her command. There was a frown on his face while he started to ready himself. She pumped her fist twice to which the other spartan nodded before he started to mentally prepare.

Cal raised her rifle to her shoulder. She reached a hand towards her pistol to make sure she could switch to her sidearm fast. She watched Gram who nodded. Cal aimed the rifle at the head of the soldier. Gram brought up his rifle and waited for her trigger. He nodded to her as well.

Cal fired, the round cutting through shield, armor, and flesh like a knife into butter. The elite crumbled, his body collapsing into the sand which was painted purple.

The rest of the lance all turned as Gram opened fire, his rifle blazing as he and Cal started to split off from the other. Cal holstered her rifle with one hand and drew her sidearm with the other as she watched 3 grunts fall in a haze of blood.

She snapped up her sidearm while one of the jackals turned towards her, their shield ready. Their shield was already armed and raised. He squeezed out a glob of plasma towards her.

Cal was both faster and a better shot. She nailed their exposed arm with a bullet which forced the alien to stagger and allowed a headshot from her. Gram fired twice more; 2 more grunts fell to the ground as she moved like a blur. She watched as Gram stepped towards the soldiers with his rifle raised.

The other jackal tried to shoot at Cal who rolled to the side. The bolt of plasma passed her right shoulder. Cal felt the heat through her armor which made her curse as she realized that she was inches away from that bolt doing more damage.

She didn't need to respond as Gram had already driven an elbow into the soldier's jaw. The creature fell to the sand as the other grunts started to retreat in terror. Both Spartans snapped up their weapons and opened fire with a hail of gunfire which ripped through the creatures who fell dead.

Gram and Cal started to sweep their weapons around while dropping their clips. Gram slammed a new magazine into his gun before he looked at Cal who had fallen silent.

He swept his rifle around the beach before he started to shake his head. The spartan knew there would be more patrols that attacked them. The covenant wouldn't accept the loss of a few soldiers considering they looked somewhat important.

"Clear." Gram stated while he shook his head. "There will be more of them coming. We need to move soon." Gram added while he started to think of what the next best was.

Gram watched as Cal started to grab the pad on the ground while he kept his weapon at the ready. He said nothing towards Cal who was reading the pad.

"Anything important?" Gram questioned while he raised an eyebrow under his armor.

"Yes," Cal stated as she tapped a few keys on the tablet. "There are files on here they were trying to access. I had to be sure that it wasn't as important as it seemed." Cal added while she cleared her throat.

"And what are the files on the computer?" Gram asked while he slowly walked over. "We need to move before one of their ships converges towards this location." Gram stated to himself more than the spartan in front of him.

He was well aware that their mission was going to be more dangerous than before... If the covenant cornered them? They'd be thrown into the deep end with no way to respond. Gram didn't want to deal with their entire army. They were also on a clock if they were right, one which didn't wait for anyone or anything on this place.

Both Spartans shared a look before they slowly gazed at the sky where one of the covenant cruisers hovered. The warship was a start to an invasion of their planet.

"This world is going to die for their gods." Gram pointed out with a snort of anger. "How many do they need to kill before their war is done?" Gram asked while he stared at the ship with his rifle at the ready.

Cal said nothing, but the statement wasn't with a small modicum of truth. The covenant didn't leave anything but ash and dust on their campaign. If they wanted something here? it didn't matter what they lost.

"How much ammo do you have left?" Cal asked as she started to download the information on the pad while setting it to self-destruct.

"Down a clip, nothing else missing." Gram said before he gazed at the sky. "Enemy dropship at 6 o'clock. We need to move." Gram stated as he started to move towards the shoreline.

Cal nodded and dropped the pad to the ground before stomping on it. The fragile pad shattered into pieces before she and Gram started to sprint into the foliage. They shared unspoken questions.

How many soldiers were deployed here? What did the enemy know? Which was the best path to retrieve the data?

"What happens if the enemy has compromised the objective?" Gram asked while he and she sprinted forward.

"Destroy all evidence and exfil," Cal stated to which Gram nodded.

"I feel more exposed here than I did back on that ship." Gram stated while both Spartans sprinted into the forest.

He and she were rather skilled but against an entire invasion force? Gram wondered if they'd be able to put a dent in their forces here. Cal wanted to focus on the UNSC troops that had managed to make it here.

"And if any UNSC soldiers survive the mission?" Gram asked with a twinge of interest.

Gram heard nothing from Cal as the gears in their brains started to twist and turn. Gram knew that the soldiers were asking for help from reinforcements. They had a duty to serve the UNSC and these soldiers ARE part of the military as well.

"The UNSC will send evac craft to take them along with us," Cal responded with a frown as she started to sigh mentally.

She was aware of how badly the marines needed them. Cal was not heartless when it came to fighting alongside soldiers who had none of the training, equipment, skill, or experience Spartans did. She also planned to protect them if it was possible.

That still meant nothing if they didn't complete the mission. A few dozen marines being saved might also mean billions more slaughtered on another world.

"Arm still doing alright?" Cal asked as her friend nodded.

"Too stubborn to stay in the medical bay regardless." Gram stated with a nod of his head towards the island. "Why is every planet we're sent to has dozens of people to shoot?" Gram asked as he sighed.

He wasn't stupid. Cal and he were skilled at killing the enemy and getting the job done. They were also part of the set of 3 fireteams that handled the ops too dirty or underhanded for certain formations of the UNSC.

He frowned as he sighed to himself. There was plenty of time for the enemy to blockade the planet. They had more than enough ammo to battle the enemy, but he wasn't willing to battle their army if he had a better way to do so.

"This is Echo Squad." Gram said as he brought a hand to his head. "We've secured the datapad. Copy?" Gram asked before Cal shifted her gaze towards him.

The spartan nodded to her as she raised an eyebrow. He was aware of what the enemy was capable of.

"Don't forget, they're listening." Gram stated before he slowly started to walk away. "Their planning to find us anyway…. We know how their leadership functions. We just need to force them to track us." Gram added as he drew his rifle from his back.

Cal nodded, remembering her training. The best way to beat an enemy was to learn their tactics, exploit them to tear the enemy down as painfully and efficiently as possible. She looked at Gram who seemed to wait for her.

"We need to hit them and draw fire from the marines." Gram stated while he checked his rifle. "They're already looking for what drew them here," Gram added before he cleared his throat.

Another phantom passed overhead as both Spartans sprinted into the waist-high water. Cal almost wondered if Gram was planning to fight the entire Covenant army for a few marines. It wasn't something she put past her partner.

"They're not going to die anytime soon." Gram heard from Cal. "They're some of the best in the corps. We both know how stubborn the marines are if they are pressed to the wall." Cal stated while she drew her assault rifle from her back.

Gram nodded, knowing the mission was as important to the UNSC as anything else. They were soldiers at the moment, and they were well aware of the fact that their deaths were a worthy sacrifice. It still did not sit well with him for their deaths to be a possible factor they were capable of affecting.

Cal wished they were aboard the Leviathan or another ship. Part of her heart went with the soldiers who battled alongside their army. She cared as much for her team and the soldiers in her command as possible. If there was to be a loss of marines today? She wouldn't blame him when it came to being bothered and disturbed by this sort of thing.

'Gram wants to protect every soldier in the military. The losses do we get each week? I can understand why he's annoyed by it so damn much. Marines or not? Their still soldiers who are following their orders as best as we are.' Cal mentally stated to herself as she shook her head.

They had orders to carry out, however. She knew Gram would put the mission first if it meant they'd be saving more soldiers. She said nothing at the moment while she dwelled on how best to rip through the enemy forces and defeat them.

"We aren't going loud, are we?" Gram asked while he and she slowly started to trudge through the water along the shore.

"Not yet," Cal responded as she swept her rifle around. "We still need to find their target and capture it. I only wanted to see if there was any intel on that datapad they needed for their plans." Cal added before Gram nodded to herself as she sighed.

Gram frowned for her as he realized they weren't doing this Silver Team way. There were dozens of patrols on this planet and sooner or later? The Covenant would locate them, and they'd get into a firefight. Cal knew this as Spartans were something that was usually blasted over the battle net which meant that there was. a high chance one of their patrols had already reported it to high command.

"Sierra-069? Status?" Cal asked and watched Gram sweep his rifle at a soaring phantom. "We're proceeding with the objective," Cal stated before another phantom roared towards them.

Cal watched as Gram, and she spun in place towards the shore and started to sprint. Gram heard the sounds of the phantom opening fire on their position as he and her rolled to the side.

Both Spartans snapped up their rifles and started to fire at the Covenant dropship as it snapped its doors open and started to spill soldiers onto the ground and towards them. Covenant soldiers started to throw themselves towards the two Spartans who swept their weapons towards them and advanced into cover behind them.

"Told you." Gram said as he dropped an empty clip and pulled another from his belt. "There's more of them, they are trying to pin us down," Gram added before he watched as a pair of the hulking monsters from before started to leap from the craft.

The same monsters who had attacked them on the Covenant ship beforehand. They screeched hellish roars which split the air as Cal and Gram fired at the Covenant troops that descended on them like moths to a flame.

Gram looked at Cal as he emptied a magazine into 2 cerulean elites who fell into the water, their armor pierced. He was well aware they'd probably be expending their entire ammo stores into this fight. Gram almost wondered how well they'd be doing with Arthur and Solomon here to support them. It might not have done a lot and it probably seemed like it was wishful thinking.

Gram dropped an empty clip into the sand as he sighed before he swiped another from his belt. He slid it into his weapon before he continued to fire at the enemy.

"Told you'd find us if we stayed put too much." Gram stated to himself more than Cal. "And there are more of those maggots from before. That armor seems tough." Gram added as he rolled his eyes to himself.

Cal said nothing and fired a burst into one of the elites as it tried to flank them. It was clear to both of them that they were going to be in for a fight. A very long, dragged-out fight.

"We're beat them. Their armor has weak points." Cal stated in response to which Gram fell silent. "Focus on dealing with their infantry besides them," Cal ordered as she dropped another empty clip into the sand.

Both were well aware of the fact they were pinned. If the Covenant brought in reinforcements to launch another attack? They'd be screwed over. They had no air support, armor, infantry support of their forces.

There was also the fact the Covenant had dozens of cruisers over the battlefield and simply one would atomize them. The Spartan sniper wanted to be off this battlefield and away from this place and onto their mission. However? She and Gram were soldiers, and it was part of their duty to fight.

They had plenty of time and plenty of ammo to expend on their enemy if they tried anything at the moment.

"This is Spartan-077." Gram stated over his radio. "We handle covenant forces. Bunker down at the moment." Gram added to which Cal frowned and stared at the Spartan.

Gram had no remorse for daring the Covenant to face them. Their mission was protecting the UNSC, part of their duty at the moment was also to the men and women of the military who served as did them.

Both soldiers continued to lean in to fire more at the Covenant soldiers. Both Spartans unleashed a torrent of fire into these monsters. A smart commander would realize how dangerous a Spartan is and back down or even simply retreat and plan for another attack.

They knew these dogmatic aliens were not smart when it came to their extermination, and it showed more than anything they wanted the soldiers to die.

Cal and Gram watched as some of the grunts tried to flank them which was greeted with more gunfire. Cal and Gram didn't count the numbers of rounds that were fired from their weapons, nor did they try and conserve ammo.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out these chapters will mostly be longer than this. The next chapter will end up being 900-4000 words and will be in 2-10 months and show the battle and more of Cal and Gram's past. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!