Joe Sampson POV:
It was a nice day out, I started my shift just an hour ago, and I started welcoming teachers and staff that work at New York University, Working here for the last 20 years was nice. I was at my desk until I saw another car pull up. I got up next to the window
" Good morning Rachel." I happily greeted the professor whom I got to know over the years. She smiled at me as she rolled her window down.
" Hello Joe how is your day going." She said to me.
" Going well." I smiled back at Shawty.
" Excited to begin another day of teaching the next generation." I said Making her eyes roll.
" Yeah, tell that to half them failing my class." She responded.
" Oh my, surely that is your fault though right as a professor." I jokingly said.
" Shut up and open the gate." She laughed.
I pressed a button letting her in" Have a great day Rachel say hi to the kids for me." I said.
" You too, and I will make sure to do that" She said driving through. I sat back down in my seat and started to relax applying for this job was one of the best decisions in my life quite peaceful after serving in the police force I wanted a quieter environment.
5 minutes passed and nothing else has happened, but in the corner of my eye I saw 4 or more vans approaching making me raise my eyebrow in suspicion they all pulled up to the gate the windows were tinted black so I couldn't really see inside. I got up from my chair and approached the lead van noticing at least 5 or more approaching.
" Hello, I wasn't expecting a delivery." I said. They said nothing back, I am not liking this. " Uh, can you please roll down your window so I can talk to you." I told them. Nothing, I was beginning to lose my patience with them.
" Can you ple—" And just like that the vans sliding doors opened, and out came armed men in tactical gear. I tried to unholster my firearm. But one of them shot me with a silenced weapon causing me to fall down. I coughed out blood. I watched as one of them went inside my booth and opened the gates.
"Gates are open." one said.
" Good remember no survivors" another said.
I weakly unholstered my handgun and shot one of them killing him. They all turned around surprised that I was still alive. I shot off a few more rounds injuring another, before they opened fired again, and then everything went dark.
Yara POV:
Blyat! someone must have heard those gunshots. I looked towards Lt Lekshenko as he started barking orders at the drivers to get into the front entrance of the school.
All 15 Vans made way to the university as we quickly started to disembark to complete our mission, there was no turning back now.
I pulled the LT to the side out of earshot from the rest. " Do the rest of the men know that this is a one-way trip?" I asked him
He averted his gaze away from me. " Some yes, but a lot are disillusioned that council is going to attack Earth and we are a distraction," he quickly said.
" Plus like it would do them any good of what we are here for." He finished brushing past me.
In all reality, I don't know why I volunteered for this mission a part of me just had a death wish after the Covenant glassed my planet I have nothing to live for. After hearing the announcement of an alliance with Elites that sent me over the edge, well here we are now. This is what the UNSC gets for backstabbing us, and after today the chance of a peace treaty happening will be close to nothing. " Yara get a move on." One of my comrades told me.
I moved up joining my brothers as we quickly approached the main entrance. A few students were unlucky enough to be outside. But they were quickly cut down by us, serves them right.
We passed their lifeless bodies as we went through the main doors of the school. All of the people in the building had look of horror on their faces and started running, screaming in terror. We all raised our rifles and pulled the trigger.
It has been two days and Athena could still not decipher on what they were trying to do, ONI had been hard at work interrogating the captured innie but that was yet to bear any fruit. The guy simply won't budge.
Sierra was in the cafeteria, and Rigo and Jesus specifically bored out of their minds, once they got back from the mission they were back at work doing nothing, they all felt that they were being wasted and wanted some action for once. Kat was the one to tell the two that they should appreciate the peace while it lasts.
Rigo was fiddling with his Kukri that he was given as a present from Kat.
" I swear you are going to cut yourself." Makoa said.
" Oh, thanks, mom." He sarcastically said back.
" You played too much strike team." Makoa responded.
" What you mean? Tell that Jesus." He said back.
" I only got 7 thousand hours." Jesus jokingly said.
Makoa shook his head in dismay.
" Has ONI figured out what the Innies have been planning?" Chips asked this time.
" Fuck if I know, who knows what the spooks have been cooking up." Manny said making Rigo groan.
"Please don't tell me the retard infected you." He asked
" What, it is some good lingo they knew what to cook back in the 21st century." Manny shrugged his shoulders making him groan in annoyance.
" Speaking back to Innies plane, shouldn't have Athena figured it out by then." Jesus said.
" What do you mean?" This time Kelly asked.
" I mean she is a smart AI after all shouldn't she have figured it out by now." He continued. All of us shrugged our shoulders unsure on how to answer him.
" I guess she isn't really smart after all." He finished raising the tension in the air going unnoticed by Manny and Makoa.
" Jesus she is doing the best she can." Kelly responded.
" I am just saying for a smart AI she is underperforming." He said again.
" Jesus shut your mouth, before I do it for you." Kelly warned.
Making him raise his hands. " I am just saying tha– hey bro just leave it." Makoa interrupted.
" Yeah just leave it alone man." Manny joined in.
" Ok jeez, I didn't mean to offend everyone." He said back. Everyone returned to eating their food until the alarms started blaring.
" No Mames finally some action!" Carlos enthusiastically said.
" Too right mate!" Chips joined. Everyone got out of their seats and headed to the armory.
Once they were done gearing up they ran to the Pelican, Rigo was very excited as he now had a Kukri which was attached to his right shoulder pauldron, he couldn't wait to use it.
On board, they started getting briefed by Kelsi.
" So what's up boss what's got us in such a hurry?" Manny asked.
" Innies are attacking New York University." She grimly said.
" What why?" Rigo asked.
" We have no idea civilian casualties are mounting, police are on scene to assist them in taking out the threat, we estimate at least 40 combatants good luck Sierra." She finished ending the call.
" Well, fuck" Makoa cursed.
" I told you two to enjoy the peace while it lasted." Kat told Rigo and Jesus. Making them sigh
Kellys POV
We arrived at the police station we quickly dismounted from the pelican and boarded to police Falcons that would be taking us to the college.
" Alright, I drew up a plane." Athena said. I was sitting down checking my silenced smg.
" Manny's squad will be dropped at the main entrance to assist police drive back the innies." She said I nodded in understanding.
"Kelly's squad will be dropped off on the roof of the university and breach in to negate civilian casualties and eliminate the threats." She said.
" Any questions?" She asked. No one said anything we knew what we had to do.
" All right let's get it done." She said.
We all responded with an oorah.
" Remember guys check your targets." I reminded them.
" School coming into view!" Our pilot told us.
We saw the school, parts of it were on fire and we heard the gunshots ringing out.
" Approaching the objective in 5" The pilot said.
" Get ready Sierra!" I yelled.
The other Falcon containing Manny, Jesus, Rigo, Carlos, and Chips went in the other direction to assist the police.
Ours made it to the roof where we disembarked with 2 NYPD SWAT officers. We sprinted to one of the doorways and entered the school once inside, we heard gunfire ring out as we rushed down the stairs checking our corners. Once we reached what I believed to be the 2nd floor. We had gunshots followed by gunshots. Before passing a bunch of dead bodies we stacked up at one of the doors, I looked through its window, and saw three innies, lining up a bunch of civilians.
" Shit they are about to execute a bunch of civvies, we need to get in there." Makoa said right behind me.
" Kat get the door." I told her. She popped open the door. While Makoa tossed a flashbang. I went off causing the rebels to scream. We breached in taking out the innies with ease.
" A Spartan." One of the civilians looked in awe at seeing Kat.
" Go get out of here, follow the officers out!" Makoa ordered them. They nodded and quickly followed the police out.
" Team 5 report, we need you to clear the next building, team 6 will be joining you." The Innie radio went up.
" Kelly grab the radio so I can hack it." Athena told me.
I grabbed it off the dead rebel and let Athena do her work. Once she was done we started hearing commes coming from the enemy.
" This is Team 6 we are here." They said.
"The doorway on your right!" Athena exclaimed. Before we knew it a group of innies bursted in. One widened his eyes in surprise upon seeing us.
" ODSTS!" He screamed. Before he knew it All of us opened fire the same vice versa for the rebels, our energy shields absorbing any bullets thrown our way. We killed a good portion of them. A few of them fell back into the room, but it was cut short by Ashley throwing a grenade at them, killing the stragglers.
However, another screamed in agony as one was just maimed losing a leg.
Kat finished him off with a shot to the head with her assault rifle.
" Jesus." Makoa commented.
" We need to keep moving, we still need to clear this floor." Athena told us.
" Copy that, move out Sierra." I ordered we went through the other set of double doors as we passed more dead bodies of Students and professors.
" Another innie squad coming right around the corner." Athena told us.
A bunch of civilians came running through a few getting shot by the innies giving chase.
We immediately opened fire careful not to hit the civvies.
Even though were were shooting at them they were all still firing at the civilians, bastards!
" Kat!" I yelled.
" On it!" She responded pushing forward, she used herself as a shield to protect two civilians.
" Koa Flashbang!" I screamed at him. He threw it as it exploded it blinded the innies Kat shot all of them with deadly accuracy with her Magnum.
" Go go!" Makoa told the civilians, the ones that weren't dead ran behind us towards the exit.
We moved up with Sara checking the Vital signs of one of the civilians.
" How is she?" I asked
Sara solemnly shook her head. Damn, she can be no older than 20. She didn't bother looking at the rest no point.
" We got to keep moving Kat take point." I ordered the Spartan we kept moving throughout the building passing horrific sights of dead civilians. We heard more gunfire as we saw more civilians running by.
Once the rebels saw us they immediately opened fire. We shot back at them killing two but a good portion remained. Makoa readied a grenade.
" No don't we have civilians in the area!" I yelled at him.
" Fuck!" He yelled in frustration. Pulling out his smg he started laying down some more fire.
" We got ODSTS and a Spartan!" One of the rebels shouted.
Kat switched to her MA5B and started opening fire killing one. I got out of cover and started opening fire again. Killing another.
I then noticed one of the civilians was still alive desperately crawling to us.
" Sara we got one still alive!" I told her.
" Kat with me she said." Sara yelled.
" Cover her!" I yelled. Ashley and Makoa opened fire trying their best to help Sara.
The combat medic moved up with Kat using the Spartan as her shield. She picked up the injured woman and carried her to safety, with Kat in the front still eating bullets. Makoa popped his SMG out and shot killing another rebel.
I peeked my head out seeing 4 or 6 left. I ducked behind cover from another barrage of gunfire. Making matters worse another squad came in. The more we wait here the more civilians die.
" Guys I am going to toss a flash!" I yelled. I threw it over with it going off. Kat was the first out of cover. Rushing forward. We all jumped out and rushed the innies. Kat charged forward slamming an innie into the wall and breaking his neck. We opened fire taking the innies out with ease. Makoa looked down at the bodies. " You all got off easy." He spat. We all breached the next room. The next area was more open the entire floor was filled with more bodies of students. More gunfire ranged out as civilians ran towards us screaming.
" Civilians Watch your fire!" I ordered. Just behind them were a bunch of innies.
" This is team 2 we made contact with the enemy!" One said, now shifting their fire onto us. We returned fire getting into cover with Sara dragging an injured person into cover.
Kat pushed forward soaking up bullets.
" They have a fucking Spartan!" One yelled. A few pulled back after seeing Kat rush forward I mean I would too. We pushed up as well taking out any more rebels in our way.
" Fuck you guys." An innie screamed jumping out of cover and popping off two grenades charging at us. Ashley killed him with a shot to the head dropping the grenades. I widened my eyes in horror.
" Hit the deck!" Kat yelled grabbing Ashley and me.
" Hey, we can run on our own!" Ashley complained. The spartan dived into cover, the same with Makoa and Sara, as the pair of grenades went off killing the rest of the innies. We got up to our feet and brushed ourselves off.
" Koa, Sorvand, you good!?" I asked them.
"We're good!" He responded.
" We got to keep moving, take the stairs on your right."
" Got it, Sara stay with the injured civvie, the rest of you follow me down the stairs!" I ordered. The 4 of us rushed down the steps hearing more gunfire followed by more screaming, When we reached the first floor Makoa kicked the doors open allowing us to go through, We pushed forward encountering another group of innies executing more civilians. I immediately opened fire, taking one out. The terrorists refocused their attention on us and started opening fire. I dived into cover while the civilians took this as an opportunity to escape. Kat ran up and carried two civilians into cover. A huge explosion landed near me.
" Rocket launcher! Get down!" Makoa screamed. The innie shot another rocket. I ducked behind cover as the explosion knocked me over.
Manny's POV
When we saw the school on the horizon nothing short of memories of the war got back to me, Ironic now though it was our own species responsible for this attack was our on species. I saw Kelly's Falcon go the other direction, while we proceeded to the main entrance where the bulk of the fighting was taking place.
" 30 seconds until we reach the LZ." Our pilot said.
" Get ready Sierra." I told them checking my gear, I still had my M739 that was belt-fed, the ammunition wrapped around my chest. Carlos calibrated his scope. While Rigo checked his grenade launcher attached to his rifle. Chips and Jesus were armed with BRs
I looked down and saw it was not good. Vehicles were on fire and the police seemed to be having a hard time. More explosions wrang out as we got closer to our landing point.
"Approaching the LZ!" Our pilot yelled.
The Falcon landed.
" On the ground hit it Helljumpers!" He yelled. We quickly dismounted, We rushed forward into cover while gunshots whizzed past us. As the Falcon took off, it got shot down with a rocket and crashed into a few cars its propellers ripping into the cement.
Another rocket hit a police car taking two officers with it.
We immediately started opening fire joined by the police who were desperately trying to get the situation under control. Bodies of dead civilians and officers surrounded the area. If it wasn't for the gunfire you could hear the screams of civilians desperately crying out for help. I kept on opening fire and I realized that it wasn't just a measly 40 men but at least over 100.
" I am not sure if you guys noticed but I think ONI fucked up!" Carlos said shooting his sniper.
" Too right got to at least be 100 innies!" Chips joined him.
" This is fucking bullshit!" Rigo yelled shooting his AR.
I moved up still firing and moved to the next set of cover, being joined by a Police officer.
" Trooper, you are not the only reinforcements right!?" He asked.
" Bad news for you man we all you got." I responded.
" What!?" He exclaimed more shots whizzed past me as I popped my head up and began returning fire. More explosions ensued.
" Police are getting their asses kicked!" Jesus told me.
" You need to radio for reinforcements innies got the school locked down like a fortress!" He said again.
I shook my head in dismay. " LT. Brunet come in." I radioed her.
" What is it Sierra?" She asked.
" ONI fucked up I see over 100 combatants at the school we need immediate reinforcements I repeat immediate reinforcements!" I yelled shooting my LMG.
" Copy that Sierra reinforcements will be arriving in 30 minutes" She said, frustrating me.
" We don't have 30 minutes!" I screamed. By the time the reinforcements get here they would of killed everyone in the school.
Fuck! I looked over the car and saw police escorting a woman only for him to be cut down the lady fell in reaction crying out for help. Oh fuck me goddamn it
" You guys cover me!" I yelled jumping out of cover.
I sprinted across the street bullets wheezing past me to reach her. My squad did their best to cover me with a few officers. I sprinted and jumped over a piece of debris. When I finally reached her I grabbed her up and led her to safety using my body as a shield from the incoming fire. The squad kept covering me. I led her back to the police who escorted her to safety.
" We need to get fucking moving the more we stay here the more civilians die!" I yelled with an explosion landing right next to me killing a bunch of cops.
A police warthog then came by laying down suppressing fire. But it was also taken out erupting into flames. Two police jumped out burning to death with their co-workers desperately trying to put out the flames.
" Oh god somebody help me ahhh!" One screamed. This was getting worse by the minute.
" If we do we're fucked!" Rigo screamed back.
" We stay here were fucked either way!" I yelled back shooting my lmg.
" Do we have any smokes!" Jesus yelled.
" I only got fucking two, didn't think the fucks were dug in!" Rigo yelled frustrated.
" Pendejo fucking use them!" Carlos screamed.
" Toss me one." I ordered. Rigo turned to me and threw me a smoke.
With all my strength, Rigo and I threw them as far as we could. It took some time for the smoke screen to come through, but when it finally did. I yelled at all the police to push forward much of them were too scared to. " Come on the students in there are counting on us! The longer we wait the more will die!" I screamed at them.
" He is right let's get moving people!" One officer said followed by others.
"Let's go boys!" Another yelled.
All of them besides Carlos rushed forward across the field to try and breach their positions. The innies were still trying to shoot us from the smoke, some landing a few lucky hits, but it would of been way worse if we didn't throw it in the first place. Once we passed the smoke line, I immediately took cover behind a car suppressing the enemy.
" Get some! Get some!" I yelled.
" Remind me to yell at ONI after this." Rigo said shooting his assault rifle. Gladly fucking spooks getting shit wrong.
Rachel POV:
I was hiding in my classroom with a couple of students, scared out of their minds. Everything happened so fast. My first batch of kids arrived before the gunshots started ranging out and all hell broke loose, some other kids ran in as I locked the doors. I was beyond scared, but I kept a brave face on for my students.
One of the girls was shaking badly. " Hey, sweetie." I said getting her attention.
" Everything is going to be ok calm down." I told her. She seemed to ease back a little but in reality, I didn't even know we were going to make out of this alive. I reassuringly touched her back for whatever it was worth
I started to almost tear up at the thought of my kids, but I held them back to not freak out the students. We did our best to barricade the doors but if we are being honest it will not do much. One of the other girls was sobbing, but her friend did their best to console her. I shook my head in dismay. However I heard a large thud on one of the doors, and everyone widened their eyes in terror.
" Fucking door is locked!" A voice said. I looked back at my students as they started to panic. I put my fingers to my lips telling them to be quiet.
" What are you waiting for shoot the lock!" Another said followed by gunfire. I quickly got up and guided my students into the closet.
The two men were having trouble getting in due to the barricades we set up. One by one I got my students into the closet. Once they were all in I closed the door. I looked behind me and saw the two men finally break in. I quickly dove behind a desk, but it would only be a matter of time before they would find me. I went under it pulling my legs up to my chest. One started speaking some Russian I had no idea what he was saying
" Just keep looking" The other said in a heavy Eastern European accent. I stayed dead silent as they kept on searching my classroom. One of them moved up to check the closet.
Oh no, I quickly crawled out of my hiding spot purposely making some noise. He turned around spotting me. He moved away from the door and aimed his rifle at me, I did my best to keep a brave face. I closed my eyes accepting my fate.
But the other man pushed down his rifle. And said something in Russian. The other one nodded and grabbed me roughly and shoved me out of the classroom. When we got outside of the hallway. I saw huge amounts of dead bodies. Some students were lined up and were executed on the spot the gunshots ringing out in the hall. I recoiled in horror at the sight of it. I don't know what will drive people to become this cruel. The one holding me hostage grew impatient and shoved me forward. " Keep moving" He threatened me.
I kept walking forward wondering what they were planning it was hard to tell since all of them were wearing bandanas and masks. We kept walking through the halls with some of the armed men looking at me with disgust, I was still wondering what they were trying to do. We finally stopped at the theater. The two shoved me inside, and I saw other hostages being lined up on stage at least 20 of them with ten more men armed. One was in a beret which I was assuming was their leader barking orders, as two others were setting up a camera.
They took me to the stage and shoved me down with the rest, they were all scared.
" Rachel?" I looked up and I saw Mike one of my coworkers a bit roughed up but still alive.
" Mike?" I said.
" What is going to happen to us? What are they planning?" He asked scared out of his mind.
" I don't know but whatever it is it can't be good." I responded.
" Shut up!" One of the hostage takers said.
" All right sir the camera is set up." One said.
" Good let's go live." He said back.
Mannys POV
We were gradually pushing the innies back, as more police reinforcements arrived. I kept firing my LMG until I had to reload again. When more cops came and the innies numbers dwindling they began to fall back to the main building. " Come on guys push up!" An officer yelled. We moved up with the police however one of them got shot in front of me by a sniper.
We all ducked behind cover as I radioed Carlos
" Carlos I need you t– On it." He interrupted me. Another sniper shot rang out, as I watched the body fall off the clocktower.
" Nice shot" I said over the radio. We started pushing up reaching the main building immediately being opened fire on.
" This is Sierra team 2 we pushed the innies back to the main building!" I said to command.
" Good make sure to mop up any stragglers." Kelsi responded. I then heard a familiar noise I looked up and saw to Phantoms coming in dropping off troops including two Hunters. The two giants hit the ground causing the innies to panic. " Humans take heed reinforcements have arrived. An elite said over commes. The police looked at the two hunters in awe. The pair took point absorbing all the bullets that the rebels threw their way, and the hunters charged forward roaring. The elites and grunts right behind them
We breached into the building with innies retreating further. We focused on the innies while the police focused on dragging and protecting and remaining civilians While the elites helped us deal with the rebels
Somewhere else
Kelly's squad kept pushing forward trying to limit casualties to the best of their abilities. Thanks to Manny and his fire team, they were able to push the innies back to the school, allowing police and first responders to reach the students. The paramedics now taking care of the injured Sara regrouped with the rest of Sierra. Manny and his squad were mopping up the rest of the innies at the front entrance as the rest were being chased down by the police.
" Uhm Kelly we have a problem" Athena said.
" What is it, Athena?" I asked checking a room.
" They are live streaming an execution in the theatre, you need to get there quickly." She told us.
"You heard her Sierra double time!" I ordered we rushed to the theatre hoping to get there in time.
Rachels POV
" For too long the UNSC has suppressed and committed atrocities in the outer colonies." The leader said in front of the camera.
" For many years we have endured, but enough is enough!" He said with passion.
" The alliance with the elites after glassing and destroying our worlds was the final nail in the coffin, this is their consequence." He said unholstering his pistol. He walked up to one of the hostages and pointed it at him. Mark seeing what was happening quickly got up and made a sprint to the exit. " Mike No!" I screamed.
He was quickly shot down, causing me to cry.
" Shut up this is what you get you UNSC lapdogs!" One of them said.
" Please man, I have a family." One of the hostages pleaded.
" I did too." The leader said coldly. But before he could pull the trigger is radio rang up.
"LT we are being overwhelmed we need reinforcements, they got hunters and elites." The voice panicked.
The leader turned off his radio and focused his attention back on us.
" Should we go help them, sir?" One asked distracting him.
" It wouldn't matter." He responded.
" What do you mean it wouldn't matter aren't we supposed to hold the school until the invasion force comes in." Another joined.
" The invasion force is not coming." He responded shocking some of the men.
" You should just tell them now sir." One said making him sigh and turning off the camera
" Tell us about what?" Another questioned.
" There is no invasion force coming we are just here to stop chances of a peace treaty." He said to him.
" Bullshit they told us that we would be a distra– you were lied to this is a one-way street no backup is coming." He interrupted.
" Well fuck that I don't want to die for nothing!" Another said
" This is bullshit" another joined causing a argument.
" We have hostages maybe we can negotiate." One said.
" After what we did there is no way they will." Another argued.
" None of you are in charge we are going to stick with the plane and execute them. He said, however, one of his men got in front of the hostages.
" Fuck that I am not dying for nothing." He said before they could argue further, two explosions rang out blowing off the doors.
Kelly's POV
We kept sprinting until we reached the theater. I ordered Sara and Kat to breach the main door while I took Makoa, and Ashley with me to the back entrance. " Odd they turned off the stream." Athena commented.
" That means we got to hurry our asses up, Makoa plants a charge " I ordered him. He places a breach charge on the door.
" Kat you ready?" I asked her. She responded with a yes.
" All right execute." We blew off the doors and rushed into the room surprising the innies. We immediately opened fire killing five of them. 2 of them grabbed 2 hostages and went to the back of the stage. " Help! Help!" One of them screamed. I was then shocked because I recognized her from the protest. She kept on screaming as they kept on dragging her.
" Kelly two of them are bugging out with some of the hostages" Ashley said.
" We will deal with that later!" I responded. Kat rushed forward taking out two innies her shields protecting her. We moped up the rest with relative ease and told the hostages to make a run for it. However unknown to us one of the innies in his final breath pulled two grenades.
" Grenade! Get down!" Makoa screamed. Sara quickly grabbed and shoved a hostage to safety while Kat shielded three others. The two grenades went off breaking Sara's shields and shattering her helmet. She was knocked down to the ground.
" Sara!" Ashley screamed.
We all rushed forward with Ash taking off her helmet. Her face was badly cut up from the glass. She checked her pulse and luckily she was still alive.
" Kelly we need to keep moving the hostages." Athena reminded us.
" You guys go I will stay with Sara." Ashley said. We all nodded to her as we ran up the stairs the innies took, leading up to the roof.
" I hope she is going to be ok." Makoa solemnly said.
" Hey focus on the task at hand we got a job to do." Kat said.
We kept moving up reaching the roof We opened the door and saw two innies at the edge of the building. Upon spotting us they immediately opened fire forcing us into cover.
" Get back one step closer and I am wasting these two bitches!" One screamed.
" No, please don't I am begging you I have kids." One of them said.
" Shut up!" he told her hitting her with his rifle.
" Fuck this is not good, I can't get a shot." Makoa said turning to me.
" Somebody contact Carlos I am going to try to keep them talking." I said.
" Hey man this doesn't have to end this way let the hostages go and we can work something out!" I said making him scoff.
" And give up my insurance fuck that shit!" He spat. I shook my head in dismay.
" Carlos we have a hostage situation we need you to find a good position to take these fuckers out." Makoa said.
" I would but where would be a good place?" Carlos said.
" Go to the left tower you will get a good viewpoint from there." Athena said.
" Got it." He responded.
" Kelly you have to keep them talking." Athena told me I nodded to her.
" Hey, what is your name?" I asked him.
" Why do you fucking care!" He said back.
" I just want to know man, what drove you to do something heinous like this?' I asked.
" Heinous, don't make me laugh, you work for the UNSC I lost my entire family to them." He said back.
" What happened to them?" I asked.
" What do you think they died in a bombing raid my sister would have grown into a beautiful woman, would have married and had kids." He said.
" What did she want to do?" I asked him.
" She wanted to become a teacher she always wanted to work with kids!" He said tearing up.
" Kelly you are doing good keep him talking." Athena told me.
" I am sorry for your loss I truly am, but what would she think when she saw what you did right?" I asked him. The question must have cut deep as he started tearing up.
" I... I.. I don't know she is fucking dead because of you!" he spat.
" What was her name what was she like?" I asked him.
" Her name was Catherine, she was sweet and kind and had the best laugh." he said now lowering his rifle. the other rebel kept his guard up.
" How would Catherine feel after seeing what you just did now, do you think doing this would bring her back?" I asked him.
" I don't know?! I just wish she was still here why did she have to die!" He screamed in pain.
" Carlos, what is taking so long?" Makoa said.
" Boy! shut the fuck up these are a large set of stairs pendejo!" He shot back. Back to us, he seems like Innies has calmed down a little.
" Catherine wanted to become a teacher? Hey miss what is your name you are a teacher too right?" I asked the hostage.
" Yes.. my name is Rachel I been a teacher for ten years." She stammered.
" Tell me Rachel why did you want to become a teacher?" I asked her.
" I loved working with kids and teaching." She said making the innie lower his guard.
" Tell me Rachel do you have a family?" I asked her.
" Yes 5 kids 4 girls and 1 boy." she cried out.
" Do you think Rachel here is responsible for your sister's death, does doing any of this bring her back?" I said asking him these questions.
" I just want them back you know, I miss them so much." He cried.
" Listen I feel for you I do if anything were to happen my sister I would be angry too, but tell me what happens if you die you think Catherine will be happy to see you dead?" I said.
He shook his head. " No, she wouldn't." He answered.
" So please I am begging you to give yourself up so that doesn't happen and so Rachel can go back to her family." I finally said.
The Innie looked erratically around before sighing to himself. " Ok I surrender." he said lowering his weapon.
" What the fuck are you doing man!" His comrade yelled.
" Doing what my sister would of wanted." He responded.
" Fuck that I don't want to spend the rest of my life in prison." He said turning his weapon to him.
" Fucking traitors all of you, you fucked me! We were just a pawn for the higher-ups, I ain't' surrendering I am not going down like this!" He ranted.
" Carlos you in position yet?" Makoa radioed.
" Yep, got my sights on the two." He responded.
Take the guy out on your left." Makoa told him.
" Got him in my sights" he said.
" Send it." Makoa told him.
A sniper shot rang out as the bullet pierced the rebel's head killing him the two hostages yelped in terror.
" Move in go go go!" I ordered. We rushed forward as Makoa and Kat secured the innie. I escorted the hostages away and started hugging Rachel, who was breaking down, I unpolarized my helmet so she could see my face.
" Hey hey, remember me." I said softly. I hugged her and gently rubbed the back of her hair. Everything is going to be ok you are safe now shh shh you are safe now." I consoled her. She buried her face into my neck as I continued consoling her.
Moments later
Everything has calmed down now paremdeics and police flooded the place Makoa and Manny escorted the prisoner to one of the police APCS what a mess. I still had Rachel right next to me who was still shaken up from the experience. We were outside of the college as the police started to line up the bodies. With the Swords standing guard. Families of the victims were let in as they hugged their loved ones who survived the attack, others were not so lucky.
" How many you reckon were killed?" Chips asked
" According to ONI at least over a thousand." Athena solemnly said.
" Fucking spooks fucked up on the intel." Manny angrily said.
" You got that right." Rigo agreed.
" Hey guys pointing fingers is not going to do anything." Makoa responded.
" If they gave us more accurate information we could have negated casualties." Rigo continued.
" Hey enough, Makoa is right pointing fingers is not going to do anything." I said shutting them up.
" Plus we got other problems." I said referencing the media. They were like vultures, at least over a hundred reporters were outside trying to question the victims, they have no fucking shame. All of us looked on in disgust as they asked questions to the families who just wanted to be left alone.
" Do they have fucking any shame?" Chips asked.
" Dickheads all of them." Manny said.
" Rachel!" Someone called out I looked over and saw a couple who looked to be in their late 40s approaching us. Rachel quickly ran over and hugged who I was assuming to be her mom, she let go of her and was engulfed by her dad.
" Well her mom is pre– Makoa now is not the time to fucking joke." Rigo threatened him.
" We were so worried about you." Her mother said.
" Thank god you are ok." Her dad said this time.
" I wouldn't be if it wasn't for them." She said pointing to us. Her parents walked over expressing their gratitude.
" Thank you so much." Her mom said hugging me.
" Just doing my job ma'am." I responded.
" Rachel we should get going your kids are worried sick." Her mother said.
" Before we do that I need to do something first." She responded.
Rachel then walked up to me. " May I?" She asked grabbing my helmet.
I blushed at the sudden contact. " Go ahead." I responded. She took off my helmet and traced her fingers across my face. Before I could say anything else she pressed her lips against my cheek, My squad widened their eyes in surprise being joined by her parents.
" What was that for." I embarrassingly asked.
" A thank you." She said putting her hands behind her back.
" I wow." I said.
" It looked like you needed it." She told me.
Her dad nervously coughed getting her attention. " I am sorry but I need to go, I will be seeing you Jane." She said, before leaving with her parents, I watched her until she finally disappeared into the crowd being bombarded by reporters.
" Uhm did that just happen?" Makoa awkwardly said.
" Makoa you have two eyes right?" Rigo sarcastically asked.
" I am just saying." Makoa responded. Before they could break out into another argument our Pelican arrived. We made our way to it until. " Hey ODSTS do you mind telling me how it feels to let thousands of civilians die!?" I turned around to see Carl Tuckerson who had a mischievous smile on his face.
" What the fuck did you say?!" Makoa responded fuming in anger joined by Manny.
" Manny, Makoa ignore it, let's go," I said. But the reporter kept pushing. And it is not like the two morons will listen to me
" I will ask again how does it feel to let thousands of innocent civilians die?" He said again.
" You piece of shit motherfucker, how dare you ask us that!" Makoa said making his way to him, only to be stopped by Kat who dragged him to the Pelican.
" Well, you see here folks the UNSCS finest can't for the life of them do their jobs." He kept egging him on.
" You son of a bitch have you no respect for the victims I swear to god I will–" Makoa screamed trying to wiggle out of the Spartan's grasp to no avail. Kat carried him into the Pelican and set him down on the seat. The back doors closed as we lifted off back to base.
Not how I imagined our second mission, but my mind couldn't shake off the dead bodies of civilians reminding me too much of Reach. But there was at least one silver lining.