M6: Battle for Refuge (Ground)

[Armory]

Sergeant Johnathan Miller/ Anvil 1-1

Physical Status: Battered and bruised from encounter with bug but other than that fine

Time Zone: 23:14 Hours Refuge Planetary Time

Location: 4th Avenue alleyway, Refuge City

Current Mission: One hell of a mess.

(OOC: Was just about to post this morning, but it's fine by me. However since my finals are done I'll be more prompt with my posts)

The world had gone to hell for all that Miller was concerned as gunfire blazed through the alley as a previously unseen Covenant patrol had flanked their position. The Sergeant made a sideways dive out of a hail of gunfire as the ODST's were backing up behind cover. The sound of spiker round drilled into the walls around him. The sergeant instinctively cover his skull though he knew that would help him in a situation like this. The man slowly pulled himself into a running position before going into an all out sprint. His legs felt like lead, but he keep going forwards, it was his only escape. His chest felt like it was about to explode as he continued to run like hell. As he ran he could hear the spiker rounds tear through the air a little to close for comfort. The marine kept moving as he felt something rush along his side and the outer flak jacket tear as round tore past on a hell path forward. The object of this was stay alive in this one moment.

The marine was moving like he had purpose before out of the corner of his eye the sight of a round shaped object came spiraling through the air almost like a pass from quarterback to receiver. Miller had only enough time to shout at the top of his lungs "Grenade!!!" Before the thing made impact with one of the ODST's and going off in a explosion of hot plasma. Miller spun on a heel opening up on the grouping of Covenant. The bullets tore through the air dropping two grunts as the brute leader began to close in on target forcing Miller to take flight once again.

The marine dropped behind a ruined road barricade as the rounds pinged off it like a hailstorm of death above him. The marine gave a shaky breath before starting to slowly count to three in aloud. "One....two..." The three never came as half the barrier next to him shattered under fire causing Miller to swear before opening up on the incoming enemies. The first dropped was a Jackal that had crept to far out from behind its cover before a burst of bullets cut the basterd down. The next dropped was a brute who took the rest of the clip to the chest and the skull as he dropped down quite quickly. Miller quickly began to under the process of shoving in a fresh clip into the gun as he fumbled with the cartage. With a bit of effort he managed to reload the gun as the barricade's cover was slowly becoming obsolete. Miller dropped onto his stomach and slowly started to make the crawl through overturned cars and rubble, the Covenant none the wiser about his position change without their HUDs.

The marine slowly brought himself to a crouching position as he pushed open a door to a small building. The sound of silence echoed through the halls of the building as he returned to a standing position. While baby kongs weren't the sharpest knives in the drawer they would soon figure out that their marine wasn't there and would soon start searching for him. Miller in the best sense was once again alone. The air around him was musty as he maneuvered his way to the back of the place before he saw a flare go high into the sky nearby. The marine swore before moving to the back door. The ODST must have known by now he was surrounded and that the flare would only lead every single Covie in the area straight to him. Now this escape had just turned into yet another regrouping mission. The marine pushed open the back door before setting down another set of alleyways on the way to the ODST. This however was easier said then done as he'd have to reach the soldier before the Covies got to him which posed a major problem.     

Miller made his way through the alley before having to push his back flat to a wall before a group of Jackels passed by on the hunt. He'd have to haul it if he wanted to get to his destination in time. The tanker stepped out into the open expanse of ground silently before making his way hurriedly across the street. When he finally got across he moved straight for the building the flare had come up from before a pair of hands reached out and pulled him into another alley just as two grunts hurriedly passed by.
"What in hell do you think you're doing out in the fucking open man..." A voice hissed as Miller whirled around to find Ingram looking like a pack mule with scavenged gear.

"Holy shit Ingram how in hell did you get here" Miller whispered back as Ingram looked around before handing back Miller his dropped gear.

"Had to crawl through a sewer pipe for about a mile" Ingram said in a hushed pointing to his soaked BDU "And might I say this ain't all fucking water."

Miller gave a short chuckle before slapping him on his shoulder "I always knew you were full of shit buddy." He said giving off a weak chuckle before standing somewhat again. "Look we've got an ODST pinned down nearby and we need to grab him and bug the hell out of here" Miller commanded quietly as Ingram started to follow him down the alley. 

"Don't tell me it was him who shot up the flare that screamed here I am to every Covie in about a mile radius." Ingram snorted and Miller shoot his head.

"He's just a desperate to get the hell out as we are Ingram." Miller muttered as the two tankers moved to the edge of the alley as Ingram pointed to a downed drop pod were one could see the ODST sitting with his back to the pod hoping to find cover and refuge behind it from any attackers. "Now this guy just lost his buddy to a grenade....he's going to be jumpy." Miller said giving a once over of the area before making his way towards the pod as Ingram followed with a grim expression on his face. "Staff Sergeant Blacklock.... it's Sergeant Miller, we're here to pull you out, however its about to get hot as hell around here so i suggest we get moving Sir" Miller said keeping his voice level as he moved towards the sniper.  

[SuperCommando]

Silas-009
Gold One
Refuge, Planet Hope
Outside the office complex

“Gold Three is moving now,” Silas continued to narrate out loud to Dani as he watched the building through his monocular for a response to his chem light signal. “Can’t see where they’re taking him. Still can’t tell how many friendlies are inside, but it would be good if there’s any commanding officers to coordinate with.”

After a few moments, the incognito Spartan noticed more movement through the dark rain. “Be advised, I think a team is coming out to—“

“Marines, friendly coming out of the alley.”

Silas instantly snapped his head towards the groan of a nearby voice. A man came staggering out of the alley looking like he’d been through hell. The weary soldier then collapsed, prompting Silas to immediately stow his chem light and rush over. He kneeled face-to-face beside the man, gingerly retrieving the sidearm he had dropped as he inspected the bloody injuries, analyzing the wounds with a serious expression.

Silas’s teal-colored eye narrowed slightly. He recognized this man. Yes… it was Captain Killinger from the Task Force 77 days. He had been the officer in charge of last year’s mission to capture the Covenant Supercarrier. Gold Team met him briefly on the alien bridge. He must not have recognized Dani and himself as SPARTANs without their iconic MJOLNIR armor. Calling them Marines… Silas would take that as a compliment.

“You happen to ha-ve a Corpsman around? I think I’m fucked up.” the wounded officer wearily chuckled.

Silas looked at Dani, who was carrying the medical supplies, and then jerked his head in Killinger’s direction, nonverbally requesting she check him out.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Silas told Killinger in an attempt to be reassuring. “Hang tight Marine. You’re safe now.”

Rising to his feet, Silas went into bodyguard mode while Dani performed a quick field dressing. With assault rifle at the ready, he repeatedly scanned the surroundings for hostile contacts. He checked the alley Killinger came out from, the street, windows and rooftops of surrounding buildings, every avenue of approach he could find.

It wasn’t long, however, before the small group of Marines from the office complex arrived to escort them inside. Perfect timing, as Killinger’s hand at the very least would require more complex medical treatment. He also looked like he could use a good rest. Silas personally took the initiative to gently lift one of Killinger’s arms over his shoulders and help him walk in the direction of the building.

But just then, before they even got halfway there, there was a sudden concussive pop that echoed through the rainy night sky above, causing Silas to turn and look up. A bright orange distress flare could be seen that streaked through the overhead blackness in the distance.

“Hmph…” Silas paused as he let out a short sigh. Looks like meeting with allied leadership would have to wait just a little longer. He carefully passed Killinger off to one of the other Marines.

“You guys take him the rest of the way,” he instructed, “Gold Two, on me. We’re going to rescue whoever shot that flare and bring them back here. When we return we’ll use the challenge word ‘Talon’, the response will be ‘Eagle’. We’ll try to be back by dawn.”

With that, Silas started dashing in the direction of the flare.

[Huka]

Field Master Til 'Muramai

It felt like a full cycle had passed for the Field Master, he kept his eyes honed on every patch of Jiralhanae as they worked and mined like slaves through the rubble that was once their command center. Such a waste of time and resource, Til closed his eyes for a brief moment and felt the unhindered breeze and lightened rain of the morning ease his war anxiety. He pondered on what to do...


What will he do when he recover the Artifact? He knew he couldn't activate it, he had one of the best experience on the Forerunner ancestors' manifests to know they didn't seem to accept the touch of their followers easily, promptly for borderline heresy on the San'Shyuum's part to dissect and reverse-engineer their findings with the aid of the ancient and mysterious Huragok. Putting his hands behind his back in thought, Til did so with a noticeable grimace; his burn-scarred face wrinkled a tad uglier in the tension of his mandibles. He required a human.

As much as he hated and dreaded to, he might need a human to complete this. Compared to most of his fellow officers in the Covenant, Til had the classified, and humiliating, knowledge that humans had some odd connection with Forerunner artifacts.

In the middle of his plotting, an angry yet pained roar caught his immediate attention. Despite their betrayal, Til felt his heart sank some at the thought of another Covenant soldier hurt and looked down at the pit to see a young Jiralhanae jerking and pulling at his left arm that was currently in the long bone-crushing maw of an alien saurian; the beast was as long as the ape-like barbarian was tall, with nasty blue-green scales, tiny eyes and body seeming just as heavy as a young Sangheili.

Shouting to one of his Skirmisher guards, Til snatched a needle rifle and fired three thin crystals; one into the reptile's snout, one into its left eye and another just over on its eyeridge. The three flashed a vivid hot-pink into the twitching beast's head before blowing a good portion while the injured Jiralhanae screaming out in pain with pieces of the crystals peppered on his chest and neck, but his most immediate attention was on his gnawed arm. Grabbing on it with a couple fingers missing and oozing with cooper blood.

A few members of the wounded's immediate pack rushed over to their fallen comrade and tried to apply their tribal medicines. Finding no need to attend to their ways, the Field Master looked around when he felt that itch in the back of his head, recognizing it immediately before turning with his free hand moving as if fluttering his beloved cape.

Looking down at the Skirmisher major that he took the needle rifle from, the Sangheili flexed his mandibles, "Scout out for another mixed creche of Sangheili and Jiralhanae, they should be near here by now." He ordered in a Sangheilian modification of the Kig-yar language, pointing towards his former gather spot, "Be careful, they might shot on sight due to the poor choice on your fellow mercs' part."

"As you command, sire." The tall avian hissed in his native tongue before screeching out to his lance and sped off at full speeds in a arrowed formation.

Pacing side to side for a moment, Til looked to Rex and jerked his head, signaling him to approach. The Champion looked abit nervous but he draw close, his slits glancing up to the Sangheili officer. "I need you to do something."


"The Artifact?" Rex conduced intelligently, looking down at the rubble that the able workers continued to pull and work over. Snaking his head, the Zealot looked down as well, "As you have seen in previous retrievals, they aren't quite responsive to our touch compared to...our enemy." The Skirmisher wanted to immediately say something on that but knew better than that, he rather liked living under the Zealots' good side. "What would you have me do, Sire?"

"Find a human and bring it back here...alive. If it is one of the enemy soldiers, be sure to strip it of all weapons and equipment. They have recording devices like a Ossoona and it will be most...disastrous to have that little trick." Til whispered with a stern look on his face. The Champion nodded a few times and looked around himself, his feathers noticeably fluttering in the wind, "You and I both know the Humans, Field Master. If one is taken, we might anger the whole nest."

Closing his eyes for a time, the Field Master nodded in agreement, "I certainly do and I fear the same but we must find a way out of here and hopefully leave with the Artifact, but we can't trapped here in a fatally quiet standstill. If we don't move, the humans will. Before you execute your given duty, I want the patrols on high-alert and in contact ever ten rooks."

Saluting with a Sangheili-wide pound to the right breast with the inside of his fist, Rex bowed his head, "As the loyal Zealots of Reticent Lance command." He said with deep loyalty to the Field Master on his part in keeping the Sect as intact as possible beside their numerous trials against interesting defiant human forces, which he sometimes think it is the same unit.

Leaving Til in his slow walking to a shaded area, Rex dashed and screeched out orders while his few remaining commandos appeared from the shadows and dashed into the streets for their encrypted task.


Unggoy Ultra Jadap

Hearing the Sangheili call his groveling disgusting and pathetic, Jadap agreed in the back of his mind but he was instantaneous from his trainers' relentless protocols and warnings of breaking the chain of command. The Unggoy soldier was certainly a individualistic compared to the rest of his species but he knew better than to break the Sangheili's chain. To do can lead to the suicide ranks easily.

Weakly getting himself up, suddenly feeling the cycle's fatigue hit his shoulders and knees like chained boulders, Jadap kept his eyes to the ground as the Ultra scowled him for thinking so lowly of him as one of the more common Sangheili, and slowly nodded as he was retaught the important thing; the soldiers under his command and success of the mission.

Turning his head to look at the survivors of his dwindling lance, Jadap let out a wheezing sound before straightening up and looked at the creche commander as he crouched down eye-to-eye, showing the rare ferocity and intelligence that he possessed with the ambery of anger behind them. Anger of the betrayal. Anger of losing good soldiers. Anger of being here.

"I will honor my sect and lance!" He hissed out with a thump on his chest before a powerful and vividly familiar roar ripped through the air. Turning in a low crouch as if to expect the Field Master right there, the Unggoy gave a methane-induced growl, "We must return to the sect. Jiralhanae might still be around." He said and nodded to his lance, who immediately moved about to get ready for another trek back to the Artifact sight.

[Zero The Hidden]

Rhavik 'Dremdai
City of Refuge
Reaching Camp

It was dark as the Warrior Lance stumbled into the fine gates of the Covenant encampment, the night's sky engulfed in a gloomy orange haze overlapped with a thick blanket of black and purple. Rhavik led the formation steadily through the makeshift entrance of the post with a quick encounter with the base's sentinel before moving through the tethered gate, aged and rusted through decades of constant use from the city's Human population. The Sangheili minor guards briefly nodded towards the Ultra as he passed, then retained their formal gaze on the bare highway laying siege on the post - suspended above the shallow waters of the land beneath the underpass. 

As Rhavik led the Lance into the encampment bustling with movement, crates and sandbags and other human barricades were still being shoved into position, fortifying the temporary walls of the operating base. Kig-Yar and Unggoy were heaving up against boxes of Human materials, bricks and cinder blocks and such, pushing them to either side of the base to further support the walls. Rhavik dismissed the exhausted Major and his Lance to rest as he waited out the night until the morning to search for Oros, the dimmed light impaired the Sangheili's vision, and it would be a pointless attempt to scour the area with tired minds and rain engulfing any sounds - whether they happen to be cries for help or the footfalls of an enemy. 

Many were armed with Jiralhanae weaponry and equipment, scavenged from the dead. 

Several of the soldiers glanced his way and bowed briefly before returning to the busy construction of the nightly fortification. Major Urno Xytoee stood on a podium of three Human boxes howling out commands to the workers, trying to hastily set up the encampment and prime it for defense if the terms had to be set in those states. 

They must have been working on this for the whole cycle...

Urno spotted the Ultra as he tiredly stumbled across the section, still trying to look energetic and awake. Urno took no notice of this, however. 

"Excellency!" Urno bellowed before dropping down to a bowing position and then leaping down from his podium. "We've been here for the whole Cycle, the Lances have been hastily assembling this outpost for shelter until we regrouped. We sent out Ked's Lance as a search party to see if they could locate Oros and his formation, as well as you. We were worried, though we now have our leadership restored, these mongrels will feel the wrath yet for their betrayal, the Nishum will get their fair share as well." Urno snarled, speaking about the feverish Jiralhanae who had betrayed the Sangheili, as well as the broken Human forces. 

"Then they will have their retribution yet, those savages." Rhavik spoke gingerly, speaking of both races when he spoke. "However, we are not done yet. We still have a whole formation missing in this damned downpour. We will launch no offensive maneuvers currently, we will search further when this sheet of darkness raises once more, Ked's Lance and yours - led by me. Jarl and Vore will keep hold of the outpost until our return. For now though, continue with your chain of command." 

"Yes, your Excellency!" Urno responded, no questions asked as he clambered back onto the crates. 

Rhavik trudged away from the podium, splashing the decimal water produced by the rain before it steeped down the inclined highway. 

I beg of the Gods that we will be able to locate Oros, we need all the numbers we can get in this wretched city - especially with the lack of weaponry. Those savages will be punished in due time, but first we must regroup...first...we must restrengthen. 

[Cabel]

[City of Refuge: Captain Mark “Spade” Seamus Sorelson: Seventh Marines: Alpha Company: With Survivors: Current Situation: In an abandoned Office Complex]

“You guys take him the rest of the way,” the rather tall marine with a single eye said before handing the injured Colonel over to care of SFC Tipson’s men. Though, out of the squad of Army Troopers and Marines the Sergeant First Class decided to help carry the injured Colonel back to the Office Complex and made sure his rifle had been attached to the clip on his breastplate.

“I’ll take him, and give us a shout when you’re on your way back,“ SFC Tipson replied at the large marine’s suggestion for a password. “I’ve got you. We’ll get you checked out back at the Complex. Sergeant First Class Tipson, at your service. The rest of you, take point and cover our six. I don’t want to be taken out by any Covenant patrols or snipers." The Sergeant First Class, the senior Army NCO, nodded in acknowledgement to both of the hulking marines, and memorized the code words mentioned before slowly heading back to the Complex. He'd slipped his right arm around the marine's back, to keep a firm grip on the officer and to help the man keep his balance. The rest of Tipson’s men, in the selected squad, took up positions to cover not only themselves, but the NCO and the Colonel as they made their way back to the complex.

* * * * * *

[Office Complex Main Gate]

Sergeant First Class Tipson with his mixed squad of Marines and Army Troopers had managed their way back to the Complex’s main gate which faced away from the main channel that divided the city, and were careful enough not to trip over any of the tripwires linked to claymores and other signal lines. The small group kept the tripwires in case, and though the Sergeant may have wanted to move quicker he’d tried to make keep a comfortable pace for the Colonel along with making sure the marine had remained with them. Shortly after, the group paused near the two former glass doors with steel frames that had been the main entrance into the six story building that remained virtually untouched and that had been covered by an M247 general purpose gun nest complete with a few good marines. The gaps where the glass had been, even in its shattered state, had been covered by boards from the inside. The M247’s gun nest had been made from a few overturned desks, reinforced by a number of smaller crates to allow it to withstand small arms fire, at least for a little while.

“Private Holson, get the attention of the sentries on these doors and let them know we have an injured man. Once we’re inside, I’ll let El-Tee McRaven know we have may have more incoming friendlies dropping in later,” the Sergeant kept his voice loud enough only for the Private to hear. He’d ordered or rather “suggested” while keeping a hold on the Colonel. One of the Privates that had taken up the point on the squad’s march back to the Complex approached the doors, and whispered through the boards to the marines guarding the door. The boards were slowly removed while a larger wooden barricade, more a street barricade had been moved out of the way somewhat on the inside and one of the doors opened permitting the Sergeant with his squad and the Colonel entrance into the building and out of the cold night. After the squad had cleared the doors, the barricades were replaced while SFC Tipson sent another Private as a runner to the fourth floor to inform the small medical staff they had an injured man on the first floor. In short time, two of the fire fighters with a gurney accompanied by one of the “appointed nurses” which had been one of the civilians that had been trained in medicine arrived on the first floor to check out the injured marine.

[RiddL]

Staff Sergeant Kai (Wolf) Blacklock

Emotional status: Angry and Distraught

Physical status: Strong and healthy though a little battle weary

Thoughts: I will kill every asshole that is apart of the Covenant.



Kai looked down at the voice was surprised to see Miller, "How the hell did you get out Miller!?" Kai said with a new found hardness in his voice. He grabbed his rifle and flares and grabbed the silenced sub-machine gun the fallen ODST had. He ran down to the marines and looked at Miller and the other guy, "Do you have the Colonel with you Miller?" He looked to the other guy, "Name and Rank please" He realized he was still holding the dog tags and quickly put them into his breast pocket. "And for gods sake Miller call me Wolf, its quicker and more efficient" He said more harshly than he meant to. "We need to move as far back and regroup, that flare I shot up will hopefully get someone from one of the safe zones toward us, covenant will be coming from us from the other side of the building. Let's move" Kai said pulling himself together and seeking the void to stop his emotion from taking over. He motioned for the others to follow him and started to move at a slow jog so as not to use too much energy.

[Doíteán]

Major Voro 'Aquirai
City of Refuge
Regroup

Major Voro was frustrated. With his weapons not functioning, Voro had found a needler, beside a dead Unggoy, to use. Slowly moving among the buildings of the city, Voro wondered where the Nishum could be. He needed to figure out what the situation was, so he started heading in the direction of the camp.

"Major, shouldn't we go find the Nishum?", Minor Valdi'Muramee asked as they moved through the cluttered streets.

"Patience Valdi. We shall teach them a lesson soon. First we need to regroup. Now move it", Voro ordered, moving around a barrier.

His lance moved along, seeing no humans near them. Wondering why this was, they quickened their pace. Coming into sight of the camp, they slowed down. Having a few words with the guards, Voro and his lance moved into the camp. He looked around, seeing warriors busy reinforcing defenses.

[TinCanHitman]

Roy-001  

Gold Three   

City of Refuge

Roy was immediately more relaxed when the marine finally called down the others. Some thing he doubted the marines had noticed was he hadn't just dropped his MA5C, he had dropped it onto the top of his foot, and now that he didn't think they'd shoot him, he flicked his leg up and launched the rifle into his hands. He caught it with lightning reflexes and slung it onto his shoulder, all in one fluid motion. He re-adjusted his cap and then pulled the digital camo balaclava up onto his face. It made him feel less exposed, the slight heat from his breath and the pressure on his face.

He walked with the marine as they made their way to who ever was in charge around there, moving through disheveled soldiers and offices. A lot of the cubical remained intact, since they were not easy to move, people simply set up in and around them. Many of the men had broken into the vending machines and were eating the seemingly experationless foods. Roy simply took every thing in, always scanning the room around him as he no longer had his radar to keep him updated. He felt like an animal in the wild, open, easy prey. Suddenly the man spoke. 

"How lucky did we get? How many of you did the fleet drop?" Roy looked over at him and then raised his hand with three fingers up.

It didn't occur to Roy how it may look, silently answering with only his hand. He just didn't see the problem with minimal vocal responses, especially in situations like this. Roy also found himself immediately taking cover from window view whenever he could, simply resting against window frames instead of in front of them. He followed the man until they came to the captain, who was definitely in bad shape. He listened as he was introduced and then the captain began to speak to Roy. Roy was extremely uncomfortable. He wasn't used to people talking to him so nonchalantly. It made him want to shift from one foot to the next, but Roy remained perfectly still as the captain spoke to him about how he got his name.

When the captain asked if Roy had driven here Roy stiffened, finally some thing he knew how to handle. "No sir, I did not drive, nor fly, we were HALO dropped in." Roy said, seemingly curt. His eyes kept flicking out the window, watching the green chem light. He had barrel had time to recognize it before the other man had sent people out to retrieve, what Roy hoped was the rest of gold. He was getting tired of being separate. Roy was very quiet, he didn't have much to say, really. He wanted to just regroup with GOLD and let Silas do the talking, or Dani even. He didn't like feeling so on the spot, he didn't have real intel and he was just sort of stuck here, sitting on his hands. His left hand twitched for a split second, but Roy reigned it in, keeping the calm demeanor of a SPARTAN. His eyes looked like glass, as he took every thing in with no expression. He had never really thought about how he looked when he was in a combat situation, he had always assumed neutral. 
 

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Captain Garatus

Garatus took hold of the Bruteshot extended to him and nodded. Garatus turned to his uncle and clasped him on the shoulders, he was glad his uncle was not blinded by disdain(or by delicious taste) for the Kig-yar, Garatus was proud of him for admitting it and conquering at as any true Jiralhanae would conquer a task.

"The important thing is that you conquered it, and moved past it. I am proud of you uncle, verily. And thank you, if one day I become Chieftain I will hold your wise teachings dear to me" Garatus said with a smile to Eugenius.

Garatus was glad to see his uncle showing their new Kig-yar comrade how to use his scavenged Impaler, it was a bit big for the saurian but he could most likely handle it still. Soon they were out searching for the pack, following the scent trail and footprints. Occasionally one would find very small tufts of hair that had caught on something and been pulled out, better aiming those following the trail. Soon Jiralhanae blood could be smelled in the air, and the scent of live Jiralhanae as well. Fortunately it was the pack, instead of the heretics Jiralhanae. Valorus was in the lead and pulled his combat knife from a fallen foe, he seemed both happy and displeased to see Garatus. Garatus was pleased to see Valorus, and took his expression as being unhappy to be about losing command.

"Captain, I am pleased to see you survived the blast. I am sorry I didn't look for you, it was just..." Valorus said before being cutoff by Garatus.

"It is just that you took the initiative and led the pack on, as is your duty. You did what was needed and I am glad for it, you've done well my friend," Garatus said to Valorus,"And considering my injury, I may need more help commanding" Garatus said with a wink and Valorus grinned and bowed his head.

[Huka]

Minor Chata 'Aquiree
En route to Artifact Site 

After saving his lance-brother the pain of a crippled life; a life not worth living for a warrior, nevermind a Sangheili, Minor 'Aquitee found and followed his equally shell-shocked lance as they silently walked to the diminished pillar of smoke that originated from the Covenant's former base of operations and the sight of the Artifact, but in their equipment routines, it was still active.

The morning sun lit the way to their destination but the feel of eyes peering down on them brought a blood-stirring sensation through young Chata. "Kig-yar." The Major confirmed dully, noticeably keeping his low-loaded carbine restrained. "Why haven't they tried firing on us?" Chata questioned, catching one of the snipers watching them intently.

"They are either waiting for us to step into a perfect ambush site," Suf answered, "or they are ours." His eyes flicked to look a trio of T'vaoan soldiers standing on the roof without much care, "They look like Rex's troops."

Moi, surprisingly, looked like the most drained from the previous units and his eyes dulled to a withdrawn haze. While another soldier would call it fatigue, Chata and the rest of the lance knew it was Thesu that ached the large Wodam's hearts, but they left him be for now. Better to console in a safe territory than on the battlefield.

Soon enough the four find themselves look at the fallen ruins of once familiar structures, fallen and blackened with little memory for several meters, some of the more stronger structures have barely held their own foundation but the deeper and deeper they went, they found the artifact sight bared and holding a deep crater that could kill a clumsy Minor on drop if he wasn't lucky.

"Arrivals!" Someone squeaked, alarming Chata abit with his hand reflexively falling towards his spiker but let it fall instead. The young warrior thought he say a Sangheili ghost walk into a building but immediately dismissed it as another group of survivors; two Sangheili minors, a Unggoy and two Kig-yar on the far sight of the crater. One of the Skirmisher guards approached in disciplined stride and bowed respectfully, "Welcome back from the trash of the city, warriors. The Field Master would be happy to see some Sangheili faces..." He said before aiming his beak towards a nearby building away from the crater, where the sound of moving rocks and grunts can be heard.

"You can find him in there." The T'vaoan said before going to guard whatever was in the pit. Suf looked at his subordinates before stepping in that direction, leaving the minors behind to investigate the explosion remains.

"By the..." Chata began to say.

Minor Labus 'Adantee
Crater of the Artifact Site

"Gods!" Labus exclaimed furiously. The Covenant excavation site turned into a large tomb fit enough for at least half of a legion! Glaring down at the Jiralhanae and Kig-yar working to the bone as they threw rubble about in whatever duty they were condemned to work on, the Minor looked about frantically for any sign of the Artifact but it was no doubt entomb under it all and it might take some time to uncover once again. Meanwhile, few packs here and there were killed off large belly-drawing saurions with their own weapons, tearing out meat to feed their blood faces and comrades in the little time they were allowed by their T'vaoan overseers shrieked on the continuation on their labors.

He knew that wasn't Jiralhanae dictatorship, from the outfitting on the Skirmishers, they were of Champion Rex's soldiers, and only the Zealots had any real command over those lot.

Jhao gripped Labus' left shoulder with a gentle squeeze-a respectable grab of attention-and pointed a claw towards the other Sangheili just appearing across the way. "Looks like we aren't the only survivors." He commented. "Thank the Gods. I was getting sick of seeing Kig-yar and Jiralhanae faces..." Labus said, striding along the edge before quickly adding, "No offense."

Their Kig-yar sniper hissed out in slight annoyance, "None taken." His head tilted and saw a bird flying overhead, solemnly flapping its great wings towards the luminous river.

Jiralhanae Captain Valerius
A quarter-kilometer from the Artifact Site, eastward towards the River

Sitting on the top of a several meter-tall building out of the Skirmishers' patrol radius, Valerius sat on a pile of rock while using one to grind along the edge of his recently cleaned axehead. The scream of sharpening blade took the sound of the healing Albus gnawing on the picked bones of their human enemies, patches of his white fur missing while covered in Sangheili healing gel and sensitive eyes covered in his helmet's integrated goggles.

"Our proof returns." Mokurus alarmed, crouched tiredly next to the ever-mute Therutus who extended his armed arm to the arriving strix owl as she made her majestic perch. Stroking on his avian's ruffled feathers with vague affection and care, the hunter turned and approached his Alpha with his claws plucking something from her beak.

"Anything?" Valerius questioned without even looking up from his little task, stopping a moment to admire his handiwork. Therutus answered with the presentation of a ash-covered maroon piece of metal.

A brooding Nikomedius turned his head to the discovery and leaned forward on his knuckles to observe as well with a slight sniff of his nostrils. "Aah a piece of his helmet." He commented with a grim smile. Looking up finally from his axe, Valerius examined the piece and took it gingerly before sniffing deeply for every scent that could possible remain on this single reminder of their fallen chieftain from having a human bomb fall-quite literally-on his short reign.

Ash, melted metal and a vague hint of that pompous fool's stench.

A evil smile grew on Valerius' fanged face that brought a symbolic meaning to his helmet's jaw guard. "You bring me honor in tracking this down, Therutus." He said to his most trusted, and useful, subordinate. The falconer responded with a humble bow and gesture to the Captain, I live to serve.

"What of the remaining soldiers below?" Nikomedius asked with a rap of his knuckles on the ceiling, speaking of their surviving pack and the few remnants of the Chief's ill-fated rebellion. "We will present this and our command is absolute. That is simple..." Valerius answered, passing the shard to Mokurus to store in one of his pouches, and looked at his scheming second-in-command with his sole eye, "Now we secure our lives for the right...moment."

"Ingenious, all-mighty Valerius." The Jump-pack commander said with a groveling drool. Despite his knowledge of Nikomedius' lack of real affiliation, the Captain smiled deviously nonetheless. He already knew what could secure their lives in the Zealots' eyes.

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Dani-047

Gold Two

Apartment Complex

(apologies for the short response)

Dani kept her vision on the darkened buildings and streets they had just passed. Silas needed to wave the green glow light in an attempt to communicate with friendly forces, but it didn't mean they wouldn't be accidentaly communicating with something on the windows of other buildings. It was not like she suspected much, but to a soldier that had seen so much unexpected death, it was a priority to always remained paranoid on the battle field. 

Her MJOLNIR had made her a walking tank, but now more than ever they needed to cover all of their bases. The crips narration of Roy's activities by Gold One shook her back into focus on the situation in front of them. Marines had been camped out in this complex for a good deal of time, and they were here to rescue them. Whatever was going on around this place had knocked out human communicarion, but that didn't mean the Covenant were doing as bad as them. Any extractions would have to be done carefully, if they could get them out at all. 

Personally, solving the EMP situation by finding and neautralizing whatever Covenant device that was surely causing it should have been  top priority. Though, impoverished Marines with electricity didn't amount to much. That is why admirals thought and Spartans fought, Dani mused. Her thoughts were interupted by a  figure that moved into their area, speaking in the voice of a distressed human before collapsing to the ground. He made a joke, which was all but lost on Dani as she moved to assist him.

After cracking a white glow stick, the Spartan leaned over the Marine. She did not need her medical scanner to make out his injuries in the soft chemical glow. Instinctively, the Spartan brought her hand to the small of her back, where her medical supplies were usually stored. It took less than a second for Dani to realize her mistake, and she soon came into contact with the bundle of medical supplies she had brought along with her. She did not have the time or the supplies to do anything but a simple field dressing on his most pressing injuries. The rest would have to be accomplished by the Marines inside of the complex. 

Her hands moved quickly and before she knew it, she was finished and her Patient was being hoisted toward the complex by Silas himself. Dani moved back to covering the darkened alleyways at their back as they moved. This walk was soon interrupted, as an orange flare burst to life in the night sky. The Spartan wondered if Covenant forces moved toward these flares as well. 

Another order from Silas, and the two bounded off into the night. Roy would have to keep things going with the Marines for now. 




 

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Seventh Marines
Wounded in action

"Oh, great. This guy, again." A disembodied voice said. Killinger half realized that it was a Corpsman that had operated on his leg nearly ten.. no, fifteen years ago. He couldn't remember the name now, though. It had been a long time, back on Zenith... how ever long it had been since Zenith had fallen. The Colonel felt a sharp pain on his inverted prone body, chest bare to the ceiling above. He inhaled sharply in response.

"Broken ribs," The Corpsman said. In the distance a single chemical light, bright yellow, shifted and faded away. John's head had rotated slightly to the left. "Broken wrist and a moderate laceration to the back of the head. I'm going to need some bandages and get me some bio-foam."

Minutes passed when the light returned, but John's episode had passed. He was properly orientated now, thankfully not dizzy. He swore he wanted to throw up but managed to contain the nearly overwhelming natural occurrence. He tried to sit up but failed, his strength depleted. The corpsman returned, used a chem light to scan the Colonels pupils, and cursed - wishing he had a modern medical scanner.

A chilling sensation filled the veteran Marines senses as the ounce of bio-foam filled the cut on the back of his head, the warmth meshing well with the cool feeling as the fresh bandages were wrapped around his head. The corpsman backed away and sighed. "I really do wish I had a medical scanner for you, Colonel, but my judgement will have to do."

"And?"

"Broken ribs, laceration to your head, your left wrist is broken and perhaps a moderate to severe concussion, I can't tell yet. Medical dressing was supplied by someone else and they did a damned fine job, my re-wrap isn't nearly as good."

"I don't suspect so," John muttered. He realized soon after the 'Marine' had helped him they were SPARTANs. He specifically recalled... Silas's voice. They had worked together, though briefly, in the past but John couldn't remember where. He let it go. "Thanks, Corpsman. Am I free to walk around?"

"Just take it easy. With broken ribs, I can't allow you to rest to frequently. You need to be a bit more active, but if you get dizzy or nauseous with that concussion take a breather, then get moving again. Avoid lifting, pulling and what not. Deep breaths and coughing exercises too until we get back on a UNSC ship."

UNSC ships could easily mend the broken ribs in a heart beat. The wonders of having good medical technology.

"How long, normally, would this take? If we're stuck here for the rest of our lives, I'd like to know."

"We'll probably be vaporized before you have to worry about that, but typically a month and a half, sir."

John nodded and thanked the Corpsman before the man went onto his own duties, leaving the aged Marine to wonder around...

[Cabel]

[City of Refuge: Captain Mark “Spade” Seamus Sorelson: Seventh Marines: Alpha Company: With Survivors: Current Situation: In an abandoned Office Complex]

“John? John…you’re a sight for sore eyes. I must have been out of it when they brought you in,” Mark said after slowly sitting up using the pillow of the cot he’d been placed on as leverage. One of the firefighters noticed Mark had tried to sit up, and placed another pillow or two under the Captain’s back. “It’s not the Hilton, but it’s about as close as we’re going to get this time. We’ve given it the name of Camp Refuge…or some other damned thing like that. How are you holding up?” The old Marine had spotted his commanding officer, and longtime friend, having been patched up by one of the Complex’s medical staff if not a Corpsman that happened to come stumbled across the Complex in hopes of staying dry and warm if only for a brief time. “Could someone get a bottle of water or something for the Colonel? A cot perhaps?” One of the nurse volunteers had been close enough, and without anything occupying her time at the moment to fetch an unopened chilled bottle of water and a spare cot for the injured Colonel before the nurse headed downstairs to one of the lounges to find something for the Colonel to eat if his injuries permitted.

“Pardon if I don’t stand to greet you, but a building fell on me. I’ve seen better days, but I’m not out. None of these boys and girls here, Army, Marines, ODST, SWAT, Police, Firefighters, and civilians have called it quits. You’d be proud of ‘em, John. Now, if only we could re-establish communication with the Fleet we’d have an improvement. Oh,…someone from Gold Team dropped in literally if gossip holds. I’m not one for gossip, but it’s not exactly as though we have anything else going on at the moment,”

“A Lieutenant McRaven’s of the One-Fifty-Third is choreographing the defense, and has taken over temporarily until I can get back on my feet. He’s a good kid,”

[CTWDaBearJew]

//**SITREP - 25281-25369-BM : 2/153@7/7**//
Asset(s): 2LT McRaven, Benjamin Ian - Platoon Leader, 2/153 ODST
Location: Office Complex - Refuge City, Refuge Colony
Current Status: Taking a breather

Having left Captain Sorelson and SPARTAN 001 to their conversation, Ian made his way down to the first floor; as he descended the steps he suppressed the gnawing hunger growing in his gut. He'd eat later, he had more important things to worry about. Pushing open the fire door to the first floor, he looked up at the commotion near the main entrance; the perimeter guards were pulling back the barricades.

"Friendlies coming in!" A Sergeant said looking over his shoulder noticing Ian.

Jogging towards the opening, Ian dropped his hand to his side arm; you never knew in a battle zone. The squad of soldiers and Marines that Ian had ordered SFC Tipson to take out and retrieve their guests came bounding back in, Tispon and a Marine had another Marine carried between the two. Handing the injured Marine off to another member of the squad, with an order to get the Marine to the makeshift infirmary Tispon headed towards Ian.

Pulling his helmet from his head he let his weapon dangle in front of him by it's sling, Ian handed over one of his canteens. A short nod and a drink later, Tipson began to fill Ian in, "I think our friend who dropped in is gonna be alone for a while, his two buddies ran off. Chasing some flare that was fired, it looked like one of our signal flares. I didn't catch the color, but they moved off in that direction," He said indicating a direction back towards the city center and the Covenant controlled area, "But before they did, they were nice enough to hand off the Colonel there." Tipson finished looking towards the Marine that was now being placed onto a litter and hustled towards the stairs.

"Colonel?"

"Yes Sir, Colonel Killinger. 7th Marines...." Tipson started.

"Regimental Commander." Ian finished, "What's his condition?"

"I'm no medic Sir, but he's pretty banged up. I'll let you know his condition after they look over him." Tipson said as he started towards the stairwell, pausing to toss Ian his canteen.

"I'll be in the break room when you need me Sergeant." Ian replied catching the canteen and slipping it back into the holder on his LBV, he followed the fading foot steps back up the stairs towards the break room which acted as their ad hoc chow hall. Reaching the floor he used his shoulder to push the fire door open, and skirted the edge of the room towards the break room. 

He took in the set up of the defenses on the level, they had made the changes to upgrade and bolster their defense as both Tipson and he had suggested. A good sign, entering the break room, he found the vending machines had been pried open and a table had been piled with supplies that the Captain's group had taken from the city on their way out. For a moment he idly pushed through the food stuffs on the table, and found nothing of interest so he turned to the vending machine and grabbed himself a soft drink and a few candy bars. Pulling a chair out with his foot, Ian placed his helmet on the table along with his small meal, if it could be called that. He reached up and loosened the straps on his ruck, dropping it to the floor before undoing the side closures on the LBV; which was draped over the back of the chair.

With a sigh he sat, one leg pushed out under the table, the other propped up on a chair; twisting the cap off the bottle Ian took a long pull of the still somewhat cold soft drink. Placing it back on the table, he tore open a candy bar and took a bite out of it and crunched his way through it. His stomach immediately quitted, with another sigh he slid down in the chair and rested his head on the back of it, closing his eyes.

His eyes drifted close, and his breathing became slow and steady....

A soft swaying drew Ian from his nap, he then realized it wasn't swaying but a hand on his shoulder shaking him awake. "Uh..." He said snapping up, one hand rubbing across his eyes, he looked up at SFC Tipson, "Guess I dozed off..." He said sheepishly.

"Nothing to worry about sir, you needed it, anyways the medics done with the Colonel. He's got broken ribs, laceration to his head, and his left wrist is broken along a moderate to severe concussion." Tipson said, "But he's up and about, so is the Captain if you want to drop in."

"Yeah, i'll do that; if you could find 001 and get him up here, I think it's time we have a nice chat about what happens next; I don't want to sit on my hands while those bastards out there get closer to whatever it is they are after and then decided its time to glass us." Ian replied as he stood up, chugging the last of the soft drink and devouring the candy bar he'd opened, the unopen one along with a few others he'd grab from the machine would go in a pouch on his LBV.

Tipson left to find their SPARTAN and Ian put himself back together, before heading to the infirmary.

Pushing aside the curtain that hung as the door to the infirmary with his helmet Ian stepped in to find the Colonel and the Captain up and talking to one another, "Colonel, Captain," He said in greeting, "Nice to see the both of you up and about." He added as he grabbed one of the small foldable field chairs and popped it open, placing his helmet next to it he sat, "Our location is as secure as it's gonna get for the time being Sirs," He said looking from the Colonel to the Captain, "I think at this time we should start devising the next step of our plan, I don't want to sit on my hands waiting for them to glass us."

"Let's take the fight back to them."

[SuperCommando]

Silas-009
Gold One
Refuge, Planet Hope
Near the orange flare

The formerly-locked wooden door shattered violently as Silas shouldered his way through it and emerged onto the rain-drenched roof. He and Dani were making good progress toward the location where the orange distress flare went up, but a mountain of debris from collapsed structures was blocking the road ahead, prompting the Spartan rescuers to take a detour through this neighboring two-story building. Up until this point, enemy contact had been minimal and easily avoided. Now however, a small squad of Jackal snipers camped out on the rooftop flinched with alarm as they turned to see what just caused the door to explode.

"Whoa! Contact!" Silas declared as he quickly whirled back inside the doorframe, avoiding the radioactive neon green streak of a pot-shot from one of the Jackals' Type-51 carbines. "Engage!"

He hadn't been expecting anyone else to be up here, but in unknown territory always operated as if there was an enemy just around the next corner. That mindset allowed him to react before the snipers could retaliate. Sticking his MA5B out the door, he unleashed a long blind-fire spray of automatic gunfire that sent the birdlike aliens scurrying for cover.

The rooftop outside was very long and rectangular, with multiple large metal ducts winding across its surface. The Jackal snipers took refuge behind this cover, as did Silas as he darted out and slid behind the nearest duct, continuing to lay down suppressive fire as he went. The slowest among the enemy to react got caught in the bullet storm and was mowed down before it could reach safety, but the rest disappeared behind the ductwork.

"Target down, estimated five remaining," Silas reported, feeding his weapon a fresh magazine. Carbine fire had now begun to lance overhead in single-shot volleys that lit up the dreary early morning gloom. Fortunately, the Spartan team leader had no intention of poking his head up.

"I'll flush 'em out," he said to Dani as he rolled onto his side. Holding his assault rifle barely above the floor, he aimed through the narrow gaps under the ducts and fired short, surgical bursts at the enemy's legs. One was quickly cut down and the rest scattered.

While Dani engaged, Silas slipped over the duct and advanced. As he did so, apparently one of the Covenant marksmen had a similar thought, hurdling over the duct directly in front of him. Before the avian creature could bring its weapon to bear, Silas quickly lashed out with the rear end of his own rifle, knocking the enemy’s carbine out of its hands, followed by a savage bash that crushed its face beneath the MA5B’s stock. The unarmored Spartan then mercilessly finished the job by stomping on its throat to prevent it from escaping while he delivered a final burst of rounds into its chest.

“Contacts neutralized.” Silas announced. “Area clear.”

The soldier stepped over the corpse before him and cautiously approached the edge of the building, passing by several of the other dead Jackals in the process. Interestingly enough, Silas noticed that not one of them had been equipped with beam rifles or plasma pistols. Curious. Could it be that this EMP field was hindering Covenant tech as well as the humans? That seamed awfully counterproductive from a tactical standpoint. There had to be more to it.

Saving this revelation for later, Silas peaked over the ledge and scanned the road two stories below. Although it was still dark out, to his augmented eye there was no mistaking the amount of movement and inhuman shapes congregating in the distance.

“Hnn…” he quietly growled to himself in a private equivalent of a curse before describing the discovery to his teammate. “There’s got to be at least a platoon-level force inbound about five or six blocks down the road. Looks like Brutes. Lots of Brutes.”

The hostiles were probably hot on the trail of whoever shot up that orange flare, just like Gold Team was. Silas moved to the opposite side of the roof and checked out the area from there. The buildings on that side were packed a lot closer together, forming a maze of alleyways.

And speak of the devil… there was a few humans running around down there.

Silas looked back across the roof and at the oncoming Covenant force beyond. They were closing in fast, but far enough away that Silas decided to risk calling out to the friendlies – a few Marines and an ODST taking point.

“Hey! Eyes up! Friendly!” The one-eyed Spartan dressed in Marine gear shouted down at the fellow soldiers. “Did you shoot up the orange flare?”

(( OOC: That's you, Armory and RiddL))

[MorpheusDavol]

Ragnarok Squad
Shortly after ambush...


Viktor motioned for Loken and Nick to start scrubbing over the corpses for anything of use, meanwhile the rest of the squad would provide cover. Viktor leaned over to Marco pointing to around the rubble. "We're gonna keep moving, try to find the other's at the Office building." He whispered between them. "Aye." Marco confirmed looking back down the sights of his shotgun.

 Loken and Nick finished the scrubbing seeing a bandoleer of Covvie tools as the only thing worth salvaging, Nick opting for those as he was the techie. However Nick took the Datapad with him just in case they would end up fixing or using it in the near future.

After a brief talk and discussion with Viktor the Squad assume a small formation on Viktor heading back up the road, hopefully to the office building.


(If anyone wants to Encounter them just post it, I'm looking for some interaction. )

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Captain Garatus
Advancing on the Artifact

Garatus was now back in command of his Pack and leading them forward unto the Holy Artifact! He had given his right hand and good friend Valorus command over a quarter of the Pack to ease the burden on himself and to not totally rob Valorus of the command he had possessed but moments before. Garatus lead his Pack in a roaring stampede over the rise of a hill to the Artifact but the all stopped when the saw the Desolation, and not a single Heretic Jiralhanae to be seen. Instead the Artifact was controlled by the Sangheili with smattering other Jiralhanae.

Garatus lead the now quiet Pack down the hill towards the Atifact, their bright green armor showing their allegiance to the Sangheili. Garatus waved the Pack off and the dispersed into the thin crowd, Garatus along with his little group(Uncle, Cousin and Second in Command) went off and searched for Field Master Til. Garatus eventually caught sight of the Field Master and headed straight for him. Once he had reach Field Master Til Garatus slammed his fist into his chest in salute and bowed his head.

"Field Master, I am at your disposal. Whatever you would have me do I will do it to the letter" Garatus said resolutely, his maroon colored blood leaking from his large facial wound from the movement of speaking. He stood at attention and respectfully averted eye contact.

[Huka]

Field Master Til 'Muramai
Finally Arrivals

Til had about a handful of rooks to rest his body and mind in the rainless shade, exhaling as he rested against a ruined pile of furniture but it was enough for a war-hardened veteran to find comfort. Closing his secondary eyelids and meditating to numb the skirmish's fatigue and pains from nearly being crushed, the Muramai warrior thanked the Spirits and Gods for surviving another near death while his hands were unconsciously rubbing on his cranium at the familiar migraines of command responsibility.

Blinking open his eyes again and looking at his half-brother, Til spoke soft and casual in Xirsas dialect, "So...your thoughts on the situation, Brother?" He questioned, wanting to hear his Special Operative realistic wisdom instead of Kig-yar complaints and treacherous fears, nearly killed one of them for it. There was a difference between realistic possibilities and defeatist doubt, the Field Master refused the latter. While Til was reasonable, he refused to bend a centimeter of his knee to the enemy till the end, and worked hard to find every tactic available in regards of resource and manpower.

Before he could get an answer, one of the T'vaoan knocked on the door to the Field masters' quarters, "Excellencies, new arrivals have appeared from the north and southeast." Jerking his head to this news, Til questioned, "How many?" "Both a little less than a lance strong."

Disappointed but happy to know some survivors, Til didn't ask if they were Jiralhanae or Sangheili, he didn't really care at this point before standing up with a pop of his joints and walked out into the drizzle and sunlight to meet with them. Narrowing his eyes some, the hunter was pleased to know they were mostly Sangheili. Major Suf 'Natrunee and one of Q'ai's apprentices were representing their forces, both looking abit disturbed at the revealed scar-face.

"Welcome back." Til said, more dull than intended, but he clapped his lower tusks in a Sangheilian shrug. Both of them bowed to his greeting, "It is good to see you alive, Esteemed Field Master." Labus said and the helmless Zealot answered "And to you, 'Adantee." Saying that clan made Til remember and miss Legra, one of the finest hunters he knew besides himself and Sorsa. Last he heard, he was commanding a elite creche somewhere else in the warfront.

"Is this...everyone, Sire?" The young Minor asked, looking abit disdained and distracted to the pit of Jiralhanae and Kig-yar nearby. Til had his sympathies. "No. I have another force nearby and they should be near." He answered, standing up taller and more dominant like the Field Master that he is, eager on their approach, which was finally over the horizon.

The cry of the Skirmisher sentries caught the Sangheili's attention and their eyes went to one of the defensible hills of rubble, looking upon the stepping forms of Jiralhanae in their battle-worn armor and primitive weapons. Instinct was to grab one blade and order surgical elimination but the cries warned of friendlies, and with a tension of Til's keen eye, he knew it was true. Finally Garatus and his warriors arrived, which meant the rest of his assembled creche wasn't too far behind.

Seeing that the bomb have taken its own toll on the Captain as well, Til placed an armored hand on Garatus' shoulder with a slight squeeze of reassurance, "I want to you to take a nice defensible spot in the immediate area and rest your warriors for now, but keep a watch of things. I sense something adrift and I want everyone to be ready to defend and conquer, Captain." He said before pointing his head to the crater, "Everyone in there are punished subordinates for their high treason of murder, attempted coup, and near direct cause in failing this holy mission. So far they are cooperating, but if any try anything to further dampen our situation, execute them immediately."

Waiting a moment to make sure the new arrivals understood, Til was about to speak when one of the Kig-yar sentries approached him with a bowed hunch, "Sire." "What is it?" The Field Master asked with a neutral voice but from the avian's meekness, could tell it wasn't good.

"We haven't heard from one of our sentry cells in the appointed schedule rounds." He answered, clamping his beak tight in nervousness. "In the south?" Til continued with a slight glare. "Y-yes, Excellency." The answer came.

"Then they are either trying to find a weakness or rescue." The Zealot said, mostly to himself, as he crossed his arms with a slight flex of his powerful muscles. There was a quiet displacement for a moment, excluding the working labor beside them. "Have one of the cells close to the missing ground investigate but don't engage. If there are Humans in that area, I want them to keep a eye on them and remind out of sight." He ordered before quickly adding, "And convey the rest to tighten their security in the outer sentry and here."



"Yes, sire." The messenger answered before dashing off to deliver the orders with loud shrieks and calls for his brethren to hear.

[Doíteán]

Major Voro 'Aquirai
Human City
Finding the Field Master

Major Voro headed towards the center of camp, his lance following him. They weeded their way between kig-yar files and crates, finally reaching the center. Looking around, Voro saw the field master near another lance. He also saw a Jiralhanae pack near too. Walking forward, he bowed.

"Field Master. We have returned from scouting the north. We encountered only a few.", Voro said while the unggoy of his lance sat down.

He turned his head towards them and glared.

"Did I say you could sit?", he said with a snarl.

The unggoy stood up quickly while the jackals chuckled. Voro then turned back to the Field Master awaiting further orders.

[RiddL]

((OOC/ Thanks for getting my character up and going again))

Staff Sergeant Kai (Wolf) Blacklock

Friendlies at last

Kai looked to the sound of a voice and saw a massive marine calling down to the small group of three, Kai quickly called back.

"Yes it was but we are being tailed by a pack of fucking Apes" Kai yelled back while running towards the building where the two friendlies were. "I am Staff Sergeant Blacklock, 153rd ODSTs please tell me you guys are not all we ha.."

He was cut off by a Jiralhanae that had made its way ahead of the pack and Kai's battle instincts cut in as he turned and let out a burst of sub-machine gunfire at the creature, which in turn had its chest explode and blood fly all through the air.

"Give us a location and we will meet up!" Kai said talking to the one eyed marine and looking towards where the pack was approaching Kai raised his rifle and let off a round at the approaching Brute pack, which were only 2 blocks away now. He hit one and watched it tumble and get crushed by those who were behind it.

He looked at the one eyed marine again, "Get us out of here!!!" He yelled with a savage look in his eyes.

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathan B'Sheau Killinger
Seventh Marines
Wounded in action

John savored the particularly chilled water, wondering how the hell it was cooled with no power to the city. It didn't matter as a ODST entered the room. It must have been the same one Sorelson had mentioned. John nodded in response to the mans greeting and listened to what he had to say. From what John gathered, the young officer wanted to go on a organized offensive.

"I agree," John admitted. "But it's suicide. We don't have the numbers to take them on continuously. I know before I deployed I was briefed that the Covenant had massed their forces in a specific area, and the airstrike hours ago only confirms that group is - or was - still large enough to concern the Navy." John said, nodding his head. He took a seat and clutched his right hand into a fist. "And the fact I haven't seen another airstrike only solidifies my concerns... The navy is either retreating, or already defeated."

"We have no communications with other units, and I'm going to assume we've got few flares left. We have limited ammunition, limited resources and extremely limited personnel to go on the offensive. I appreciate and respect the courage, and I expect no less from an orbital drop shock trooper but we've got to be tactile about the situation. Judge me all you want about being a jarhead and what not, but..."

John leaned in his chair, breathing sharply. "I can, however, let you initiate hit and run attacks. At the very least we need to start causing some trouble - get them confused on our location, where we are hitting them from and our strength. We take out an entire squad of Covenant troops that's one less squad reporting to who ever is in command. We also need to recon the site the Covenant have chosen to deploy at." John said, producing a soggy map. The plastic/paper-ish material held, however, which meant the Colonel was able to use it. He begun searching for the locations - his map markers long since washed off.

Guerilla Warfare, John thought. While it wasn't ideal, it was a strategy. If they were indeed here for the long haul, assuming the planet wasn't glassed to a cinder, they needed to start living off the resources the planet offered them. Ultimately, however, they needed to find a way out of the city and regain contact with the UNSC Fleet - if there was still one to contact.

"How mach military personnel are at this location anyways?" John asked, hoping either the Captain or Second Lieutenant knew. He smiled slightly as he found his target. He folded the map awkwardly and handed it over to the Second Lieutenant with the location facing outwards. "That's the location the Covenant were grouping at. If they are looking for something, I'd start there."

[SuperCommando]

Silas-009
Gold One
Refuge, Planet Hope
Rooftop behind enemy lines

“Copy that!” Silas replied to the urgent Staff Sergeant, his eye rapidly scanning the area for a way out. The allies were being pursued by a Brute pack, and there was still the approaching wave of enemies on the other side of the building he stood on. If they didn’t move fast, they’d all be hopelessly swarmed by the bloodthirsty aliens.

On the ground two stories below, Blacklock and the Marines were running through the alleyway beside Silas’s building. The Spartan raced parallel with them along the rooftop, squinting ahead at what appeared to be a promising escape route. Across the street from the mouth of the alley was a parking building with only one entrance on this side – an enter/exit ramp divided by a support pillar with a built-in automatic teller machine.

“Staff Sergeant!” Silas called down as they ran. “Head directly across the street and go through that parking garage! Once you’re inside I’ll take out the entrance to buy you guys some time! Then proceed out the opposite side of the building and head south. Don’t stop. We’ll catch up to you later!”

By then the group had already nearly reached the mouth of the alley. As he approached the corner of the building, Silas popped one of his smoke grenades from his belt and chucked it at the alley entrance for the friendlies to run through. That should help mask which direction they go, even though all they had to do is run straight. He then slid onto one knee, immediately dropping his assault rifle and shrugging his backpack from his shoulders as he did so. He quickly tore the M41 SSR rocket launcher from the side of the backpack and hefted the devastating weapon onto his shoulder.

“We’ve got you covered Staff Sergeant! Go go go!”

The parking building was a multi-story sandwich of cars and concrete, with only a narrow gap above each level for ventilation. The gaps were too narrow for anyone to fit through, probably as a deterrent to car thieves. The building was fairly wide as well, meaning the pursuing enemies would be forced to divert around the sides of the building in order to give chase. It should buy the fleeing humans plenty of time to put some distance between them, especially with a pair of Spartans to further distract the Covenant apes.

[CTWDaBearJew]

//**SITREP - 25281-25369-BM : 2/153@7/7**//
Asset(s): 2LT McRaven, Benjamin Ian - Platoon Leader, 2/153 ODST
Location: Office Complex - Refuge City, Refuge Colony
Current Status: Planning

Ian chuckled, the old Colonel must have taken a mightier bump to the head than thought; but he held his tongue until the Colonel had finished, "Your spot on there Sir, our line of communications is old fashion runners and signal flares." He did not judge the man for wanting to save as many of them as possible by avoiding direct head on confrontation and siding instead with guerilla warfare tactics; the ODSTs bread and butter.

"That was the plan all along Sir, once we had fortified this position we were going to initiate reconnaissance patrols of the area in question and from there commence hit and run attacks, on targets of opportunity or high value." He replied looking at the soggy map, pulling out a map pen of his own to mark the location of the suspected target and then their location, quite a distance away.

"Once we have a better picture, we can start doing some damage. It may not be much as we have only 91 military personnel with us, split almost in thirds between the Marines, ODST and the local Army troopers Sir." He took the map from the Colonel, "Some of whom are not combat effective and others will need to stay here to hold down the fort, but what we do have is a SPARTAN for now; he's worth a platoon of us if not more, so we may not be so bad off after all." He said hopefully.

Ian looked at the spot the Colonel had indicated on the map, and the one he had circled; "We do have one thing they don't." He said as he pulled a full magazine for his side arm from his vest, and patted it against the map. "We can still find, fix and finish from range." 

"Nothing against the Army boys, but they've had a rough day; they'll stay here and guard the complex. While I take what available ODST and Marines we have and move towards the objective." He pointed to an area a few blocks from the location of the Covenant forces. "We'll stage the Marines," He indicated a number of locations on the map, "so that upon a designated signal they can move up and attack any targets with my ODST, and or ambush and Covenant forces in the area as they move, falling back to retrograde attack points as needed as well as leaving bobbytraps and obstacles in their way."

"Once we have successfully attacked and destroyed a number of Covenant forces we will fall back by indirect routes to this location, to reconsolidate and disseminate any further intelligence we have, and plan for successive follow on attacks." He looked from the Colonel to the Captain, "I'll be the first to admit that I hate the fact that I can't take both of your combined years of experience with me, so any help I can get now would be very appreciated."

[MrKill]

Colonel Johnathon B'Sheau Killinger
Seventh Marines
Wounded In Action

"No," Killinger replied quickly after hearing the strategy out. "Take any ODST you can get your hands on and some Marine snipers, leave the rest of the Marines and Army Troopers to defend the men and women that can't defend themselves. However... take this SPARTAN with you. I don't want any fire-fight to surpass a minute in duration." Killinger added, thinking quickly on a new idea.

"I'm sure there are plenty of weapons and ordinance lying around. I'm thinking diversions into traps would be the smarter idea now that I know our strength. Set up ambushes with explosives, and pick off high value targets with ranged fire from the Marine or ODST snipers. Gather intelligence and return the way you indicated after reconnaissance has been completed." Killinger said, grinning slightly to himself. "I think, if we deploy more flares into the sky, we should be able to group up enough men to hit them harder. Combined with the intelligence you've gathered, we'd be deadly."

Killinger stood again and walked towards the window, staring out into the empty streets. Shadows shuffled slightly, defenders of the complex watching the road ahead for incoming targets. "On my way in, Second Lieutenant, two more SPARTANs showed up. I didn't know it at the time, but I know now. I don't know where they went, but I think if we wait for them to return we'd get vital intelligence on the status of the Navy. If the Navy is battered, we've got to find a way to get out of the city and back on our ships before we do get glassed."

Killinger signed, "It's your call, I leave it up to your judgment. Just remember, son, no fire-fight should take more than a minute."

[Faclan]

SSA-012 - Yanme'e Swarm
Continued sleeping.

The remains of the SSA swarm continued to rest upside down from the ceiling. The building they were in still standing despite the destruction and the dangerous individual a few floors up. But they didn't care about much of that right now as they just tried to rest their weary wings and battered bodies so they could help during the final defense or attack - though they mostly defenseless if something nefarious were to happen.


(NPC) Nas - Kig-Yar Markswoman
Trying not to appear like one of the betrayers.

Despite the smell of death and broken everything all around her Nas breathed in the air deeply and nearly collapses out of relief and joy. They had made it! Past the flooding, the Humans, the traitorous Jiralhanae, and finally back to the relative safety of the loyal Covenant. Taking in another deep breath she let it out slowly before looking to see that her Sangheili buddies had gone off to talk with the Field Master. They seemed busy so after finally sheathing her small knife she started to walk around the Covenant zone.

A few Sangheili looked at her with disdain and suspicion but she put on a brace face and said she had fought her way back with major Q'ai's file and they believed her enough not to throw her into the artifact pit or cut her down where she stood. She did glance into the large pit once to see her traitorous brothers who hadn't been executed yet working tirelessly to exhume the artifact with some Jiralhanae traitors as well. She moved away quickly afterwards however as to not make it seem like she should be down there and headed back toward the Field Master to see if he had a mission for her. She stopped though when she noticed a decently sized Jiralhanae group move over to talk to Til. She waited a little ways off for them to finish


Cad - Kig-Yar Major
Limped his way home.

The Faith had been maintained...and finally, despite their drenched skin, clothing, weapons, and armor they had made it back. Supporting Pad with her broken leg Cad slowly limped into the exterior of the camp with Web and his spotter close behind. It thankfully didn't take long for some Unggoy to spot them and for once in his life Cad was pleased to see them as they raised weapons at them but still moved in to help once Cad proved to be ignorant of his races betrayal. It put a dampener on his already low mood as he nodded and asked the Unggoy to bind his hands then, which they did after helping Pad off toward their make shift medical station. He wished Web and his spotter the best of luck before he left and went to find the Field Master.

His spirits were lifted when he noticed Garatus waiting by the Field Master and seemed to be accepting a mission from him, the form of Kot hidden behind the silver elder Jiralhanae - so perhaps there was still hope of redemption for his own brothers after all as he moved over to them both. His hands were bound in front of him and he was filthy, soaked, and smelt as if he had gone swimming in the disgusting city water (which he had when knocked into it) but his determination and faith seemed unshaken as he knelt in front of Master Til looking at the ground.

"I accept the Punishment for my species betrayal Field Master and the mercy of The Gods." He would gladly greet his friend Garatus if the Gods deemed him worthy of life, but Master Til was his focus now as he knelt there beside Garatus

(Sorry Cabel, still willing to read your try to be an alien if you wanted to )


Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor and Mystic
On board with this new plan.

The bomb really did take a massive toll on their forces here. Corpses and wounded filled the streets as he, Garatus, his other nephew, and Kot made their way back to the main Covenant site. Eugine had his heavy pistol out and held slightly up as he held his staff in his mangled hand. Able to grip it just enough to help him make it over the uneven terrain as they went. Thankfully they didn't happen upon any betrayers and finally made it back to the ruins of their deployment zone and Garatus headed right for Field Master Til. Eugine followed behind his nephew, but went a bit slower as he took in the devastation caused by the Humans ordnance. It was a painful reminded to the Elder that despite the ground combat he had fought and trained in before he's early first retirement the ground forces really had nothing compared to the space and air forces of both empires and the amount of destruction they could cause with the push of a button.

Shaking his head and braids a bit to clear it he holstered his pistol when he made it to Master Til and just nodded at him as he held his staff loosely off to his side. He was glad to see that Til was willing to accept their continued assistance, and looking over the artifact would be a wise plan...though there was still the risk of the Humans. Who knew what they would be planning right now? Eugine was confident however that Til had already thought of thise and sent some of those fast T'vaoans off to scout out the Humans force.

Nodding at their current goal he saluted Til with his staff and was about to voice his approval before a Kig-Yar stepped up right beside them and seemed to throw himself at the Zealots feet. But rather than pray for mercy the Kig-Yar seemed to accept death if that is what Til decided. Erring a little at this he looked over his shoulder and saw that no Sangheili or loyal Jiralhanae had thrown this Kig-Yar at their feet but his hands were still bound in front of him?....How odd.

"Odd." He mused as he watched this Kig-Yar, unaware it was Garatus's little Kiggy buddy.


(NPC) Kot - Kig-Yar Scavenger
Waiting for orders.

Once they finally arrived back at the Covenant zone Kot was very careful about who he looked at and stayed very close to the Jiralhanae so as to not be thrown into the pit and used as slave labor. He had the sinking suspicion that he may be throw in their anyway but he told himself that if he stuck with the Jiralhanae that he would have less chance of being killed for the Kigs betrayal. Once they arrived at the Field Master he stood beside the silver furred elder as he tried not to look Til in the eyes...perhaps he remembered Kot as one of the Kig-Yar he had sent off to gather reinforcements? That would really help his chances as he tried to smile in Til's direction.

But then another Kig-Yar knelt before the Sangheili and offered himself to its mercy...the scarf was familiar but he couldn't place a name as he tilted his head at the display. Should he be doing that too? Cheeping quietly he carefully placed his Impaler onto the ground at his feet and held his hands up a little as Til looked over the group and gave out a order. But he waited to see what their fates were before he dared to move.

[Armory]

Sergeant Johnathan Miller  

Vitals: Heart Rate Accelerating/ Hauling ass

Time Zone: 24:02 Hours Refuge Planetary Time

Location: 4th Avenue Alleyway, Refuge City

Current Mission: Falling back.

It happened in a flash really...first there was the sound of gunfire ringing through the city streets as the birds were stirred up from their slumber and they took to the sky leaving an eerie silence. Miller pulled himself up from the drop pod he was sitting on before looking around. He gave Ingram the signal to ready his weapon as they both moved towards the entrance of the alleyway weapons drawn. Suddenly as if out of nowhere on the rooftops two massive marines emerged from the shadows as silent as ghosts. Miller looked at them for a moment as if trying to make sense of who they were before the staff sergeant slowly started walking towards the friendlies. That’s when all hell broke loose once more. The whistle of spiker rounds tore through the air as both Miller and Ingram hit the deck hard.

The sound of rounds rattling off above their heads sent the marines scrambling for cover. The sounds of the brutes howling and bellowing for blood came from behind them as the kongs didn’t seem to be afraid this little group of marine.


“Ingram frag!!!” He snarled as his gunner tossed him the pineapple shaped object as Miller popped the pin on it. “Go to hell you ape dipshits” He snarled before chucking the grenade into the oncoming pack as the brutes dived for cover as the grenade went off in the alleyway.

He could hear one of the marines on the rooftops barking orders to the Staff Sergeant as he quickly started to break out the big guns. Miller started to fall back with Ingram before giving a nod to the Staff Sergeant they were ready to go as with a burst of his MA5 he managed to cut down a brute. However the motive was clear here and it was time to bug the hell out. The two marines started moving over to the parking building iron parking garage doors to and slowly lifted them up before Miller allowed Ingram to pass inside before waving for the Staff Sergeant to haul ass inside.

[deceit]

( I'm on tour right now, but I managed to find some free time so I will make a short post for the sake of progress since I know I'll be out of service for a bit longer! )

That moment in which solid black road turned into nothingness, and dropped into a smoldering crater. Yes, his group had made it to the artifact. Ra'ab's eyes looked wide across what the humans had done. It had been a good sized bomb. He would be shocked if the artifact was still in one piece. He looked at the air and their malfunctioning weapons. Of course it was still in one piece. They'd all have been blown to bits by the humans if it hadn't. He turned back to his troops, and held out his one arm for them to advance, "Our allies!" He called to them, pointing towards the Artifact and the groups of allies.

Some forty battle ready warriors all instantly relaxed at that idea at once.

Ra'ab took the first steps, moving directly towards the artifact. A Sangheili intercepted him.

"The Field Master told us to be expecting a fairly large group of warriors."

"Yes, Minor." Ra'ab nodded, "We assembled at his command, and came to his call. We have a few wounded...And a fallen Sangheili brother at the traitorous hands of the Jiralhanai."

"Did you lead this force?"

"I am not of rank, but I did take point in our operation."

"The Field Master will want to speak with you." The Minor told him.

Ra'ab solemnly nodded, "And I would love to make a report. But I'm afraid that while I have remained strong for the sake of my warriors..." He shifted to give the Minor a new view; that of a clearly punctured armor near his abdomen. A Brute Spiker had done some mean damage to him.

Whatever Ra'ab was going to say next, he didn't get the chance too, as everything went black and he collapsed forward, fainting from the blood loss.

[BetaWülf]

Captain Garatus

Garatus listened intently to Til's orders, if the traitors tried a damn thing Garatus would kill them all himself by hand of he had to do so, their Heresy was unforgivable. It wasn't that Garatus hated them entirely for their betrayal of the Sangheili. It was also that they made made the Jiralhanae look like backstabbing fools, murders who failed in their duty to the Covenant, which resulted in the desecration of a Holy Artifact of the Gods! Once he had received his orders Garatus saluted again to the Field Master, he truly was a great man Garatus thought to himself, but before he could leave the most unlikely person arrived.

Garatus's best friend, Cad, dropped to his knees before Field Master Til. Garatus's eyes widened a bit as he looked down at Cad, Garatus knew not why he was bound as Cad would never betray the faith. Maybe he was an assumed Heretic? But to come before a Field Master like this, Garatus took a step back and turned to Valorus.

"Tell the Pack to rest for now, but stay on guard and ready. I want you to have half a dozen watch the pit scum laborers, and keep a watchful eye for Humans. I will join the rest of you shortly" Garatus said in a hushed tone to his second in command who promptly bowed and left the small group. Garatus remained behind to see what would become of his dear friend, but he knew he could not intervene at this point in time much to his despair.

Unggoy Major Dakek

Dakek was both saddened and relieved when they reached the Artifact. He wanted desperately to fight, to lead his riders in a glorious charge and to be remembered. He was happy the big shiny was safe and friends waited for the group, but still....

Dakek still lead his riders nobly to the encampment and they were happily greeted by the other Unggoy though nobody else seemed to care, except the occasional odd look at their tricycles. Dakek apparently to the other Unggoy somehow looked like a God as he majestically stepped down from his three wheeled chariot and rested his spear on his shoulder, his bone covered rebreather made him terrifying to an extent too. He had made a few kills during the Hunt and was now a very important member of his Clan, and from his new family fame he had his rebreather covered in Moon Beast bone and carved with Covanant glyphs. He had only decided to put the cover on when he thought he was about to see combat at the Artifact, but now he just looked cool he supposed.

He turned from his kinsmen to look over to Major Ra'ab, and that is when he saw the one armed Sangheili collapse. Dakek rushed over with Swapdap and Talnay was already there. Talnay heaved Ra'ab up by the torso and Dakek and Swapdap both grabbed one leg each and carried the large Sangheili over to the healers tent and set the Valiant Major Ra'ab down on one of the few free beds.

(OOC: Didn't want to just leave Ra'ab laying face down in the dirt, congrats on your tour BTW Deceit )

[RiddL]

Staff Sergeant Kai (Wolf) Blacklock

Running like a pack of apes is after him... oh wait...

Kai ran after Miller and straight past him into the parking building and ran straight for the exit yelling "Come on boys!" as he ran to the other side of the building, out the door and immediately south, where the marine, who he was thinking was now a Spartan because of the air of confidence and authority that surrounded him, had said to.

He kept on going south only stopping to check that Miller and Ingram were still following him. He rounded a building into an alley way and saw a door leading to a underground building. He kicked it open and realized it was a bomb shelter and that there was a small voice inside. He looked at Miller "Get a green flare our at the entrance so the others know where we are, we hide in here and see who else is in here."


He readied his rifle and said "UNSC ODST coming in, put weapons on the ground or I will open fire on you" he started down the stairs and saw a small group down there, with the body of a jackal in the corner, amazingly there was power on down here and it illuminated the 5 people down there there, there were an arrange of guns that had been scavenged from dead Marines in a pile in the middle of the room, He turned back to where Miller was "Civilian survivors are here and they have power, come down when your ready." He said turning towards the Civilians, all but one where teenagers. "Ok I am Staff Sergeant Blacklock, that is Sergeant Miller, we are soldiers and we are waiting for reinforcements. Come with us when we leave, and be ready to run , trust me we were being followed not ten minutes ago. Bring whatever is powering this building with you and grab your guns." One of the civvies ran to the back of the room and grabbed a generator the size of a backpack and heaved it up, the lights went out and the generator died and the lights went out. 

"And now we wait" Kai thought out loud.

[Cabel]

[City of Refuge: Captain Mark “Spade” Seamus Sorelson: Seventh Marines: Alpha Company: With Survivors: Current Situation: In an abandoned Office Complex]

“I had a feeling you’d be seeking out a fight, and it’s high time we did more than bloody their noses. I know SFC Tipson, and the others are rearing for a fight,” Mark said, looking over at Ian as he swept aside the curtain separating the infirmary from the rest of the Fourth Floor. Out of pride or perhaps a show of courage to prove to others he could still fight in the trenches along side them, the old marine swung his good leg off the other side of the cot and took hold of his shattered right thigh still in the pressure cast with his right hand in an attempt to help move it off the cot. Ever since his days as a Recruit in Boot Camp, Mark had been known to have an all too real tendency of becoming overzealous in his fight to preserve the human race from the Insurrectionists to the war against the Covenant though this time his old Squad from his time on the moon Echidna hadn’t been there to hold him back for his sake and theirs. Grabbing the body of the MA5C he’d been assigned from where it had rested near his cot, he’d slip the sling over his shoulder. A nearby firefighter with an Army trooper that had stopped by the makeshift infirmary for medication or to have the dressing of an injury changed, an injury sustained during the initial invasion of the city that had been treated at the Complex rushed over to stop the aging marine Captain from making his injuries worse.

“Step back. I’ve been on this cot for too long, laying on my backside while others do the work. I enlisted to put another rifle in the fight, and that’s what I intend on doing. If we’re going to take the fight to the Covenant, I intend on being there with you. Now, step back. I can do this…” he began.

“Sir, you need to lay back. You’re going to aggravate your injury more if you decide to go out in the field,” the firefighter replied, versed in medicine in addition to fighting fires and tried to keep a firm hold on the aging Marine.

“Aggravate? I’ve had worse. The Covenant aren’t going to wait, and I’ll go out and meet ‘em…” Mark began before he went limp and his eyes closed forcing him to lean into the firefighter. One of the other firefighters that had been nearby had rushed over hearing the commotion after retrieving a sedation solution, and a hypodermic needle. He’d managed with the help of the other firefighter, and the Army trooper to have kept Mark from having left the cot and had rolled up the marine’s right sleeve exposing his right shoulder. Having quickly rubbed the target area with rubbing alcohol, the firefighter filled the needle with the solution after checking the man’s medical records or at least what he’d had allergies according to what the Marine had been able to tell them to insuring the solution hadn’t been among them and injected the needle into Mark’s shoulder. With the marine unconscious knowing the action of sedation had been the last among the many options available, the two firefighters and the Army trooper carefully lifted the Marine back onto the cot and checked the pressure bandage around his right thigh. A blanket had been carefully draped over the unconscious Mark, leaving his injured thigh with the pressure bandage open for those on the medical staff or rather the adhoc staff to keep an eye on it. The Army Trooper, by the rank of Corporal, carefully slipped the marine’s fingers from the grip and placed the MA5C on a small table nearby after removing the magazine for safety’s sake in case Mark had made another such attempt. Though the Corporal hadn’t confiscated the magazine to add with his own, he’d set the extra magazine on another small table nearby away from the rifle.

“I’m sorry, Colonel, Lieutenant. We didn’t have that many options. If we’d allowed the Captain to join the rest of you in the field, he’d certainly lose his leg or worse,” one of the firefighters, the one that had sedated Mark, explained turning around to view both Colonel Killinger and Lieutenant McRaven. “If it’s of any consolation, we all feel the way he does. We’re grateful for the help, and if there’s anything else we can do let us know,”