CHAPTER 6
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high
And order all things, far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show
And cause us in her ways to go
1450 HOURS, JUNE 1st, 2560 [MILITARY CALENDAR]
ZETA HALO
Several months had passed since the fateful Christmas Day raid on the Banished outpost. In that time, the UNSC resistance led by Lieutenant Abe Rukundo had grown significantly, bolstered by the emergence of more survivors in the region. They reclaimed Lupercalus's outpost, transforming it into both a functional base and a symbol of hope and redemption for those fighting on Zeta Halo.
Occasionally, Banished marauders ventured into the area, likely investigating the disappearance of Lupercalus's pack. However, intel from Agent Dill indicated that most of their forces were preoccupied with more pressing matters elsewhere on the ring. The incursions that did occur were limited to small scouting parties, easily handled by the resistance.
Today, Lieutenant Rekundo and the crew of the Gun-Yak, since rechristened Rig's Fist, was tracking a Banished Phantom that triggered their early-detection system. Obscured by camouflage netting, Rig's Fist remained undetected as its gauss cannon followed the airship.
"Fire Gauss Cannon, over!" Rukundo ordered.
"Gauss Cannon firing. Shot!" came the voice of Carson Tollhouse over TEAMCOM.
The cannon flashed as it fired its projectile at the Phantom's engine, connecting with a direct hit. The ship whined as it struggled to remain airborne, but its systems failed, and it plummeted nose-first into the ground.
From the smoking wreckage several Banished troops stumbled out of the Phantom's troop bay, but were picked off by the sniping skills of Spc. Hound McCaskil and Sergeant Mike Bravo.
As with previous encounters, the crew salvaged the Phantom for supplies and parts before preparing to return to base. So far, it had been another successful day.
"Sir, we've got another aircraft entering the area!"
The announcement came from Agent Dill, currently manning the Gun-Yak's laser module.
"Banished?" asked the lieutenant.
"No, sir," Dill replied. "Radar pings it UNSC, a Pelican. FOE tag reads Echo-216. Want me to hail her?"
"Absolutely, Agent. Let her know we're here and patch me through as soon as you make contact."
The lieutenant didn't have to wait long. After waiting for static to clear from his COM, he could hear a voices crackle on the other end.
"Echo-216, this is Lt. Abe Rekundo of the UNSC. Do you copy?"
Rukundo didn't have to wait long. After a moment of static crackling over his COM, a voice finally came through—a voice that was both familiar and almost divine in its significance. It was a voice thought lost during the early chaos of the war on Zeta Halo, a voice that many still prayed to hear again.
"This is Sierra-117. We are enroute to your position, acknowledge?"
Rukundo couldn't hold back the smile.
"Copy 117. Good to have you back, Chief."