A Year of Battle

[blackshot]

Charging at the monstrosities, he opened fire at the first nearest one; his bullets carelessly bouncing off from its shield. Some are almost hitting him and some are hitting the soil, splattering mud everywhere. Jonah charged his Plasma Pistol as he jumped on his left and aimed at the Hunter's blind side. The growl of the other Hunter startled him as it advances towards him at full speed. He dove to the left and directed the attack at the second Hunter instead as he evaded it by mere inches. As the plasma shit hits the Hunter, orange blood showered over him. He didn't stop as he aimed his M6D and fired multiple times at its exposed neck. The Hunter let out a growl before falling on the ground. Jonah rolled out of the way to avoid getting smashed by the huge monster. It landed with a heavy thud, blood accumulated on its wake.

Jonah stood up and aimed at the last Hunter. He was about to fire but upon seeing the Alien's charged weapon, he decided to run like a bat out of hell. The green orb of flaming plasma sped towards the ODST. Jonah knew that once it hits him, he's done for. The ODST barrel rolled, escaping a certain death as the blast hits the ground but the explosion was so near that it sent Jonah away.

Luck is seemed to be on his side as he landed near a Rocket Launcher. He crawled towards it as the Hunter started to approach him. Lifting the Rocket Launcher, he fired at the enormous alien, blowing it up.

Jonah stood; an explosion shook the ground. He turned to see Decker and the others have already blown up the machine. The other Covenants shortly retreated upon seeing their war machine get blown to pieces. Seeing no advantage for them, they flee at random directions. Jonah rushed towards Decker. The ODST nods at him as a Pelican arrived beside them.

"It's a pleasure fighting with you." Decker muttered.

"Likewise." Jonah replied.

[blackshot]

--January 23, 2549--
Hills of Jaden

The Pelican has dropped off the ODST Squad Jonah was assigned to. Heavy rain befall the area. The pasture was caked in mud. The sky was dark, obscured by grey clouds. Lightning occasionally streaked past the sky accompanied by low grumble. Jonah jumped off from the ramp of the Pelican as he prepared his Assault Rifle. He watched as his fellow ODST jogged away from the insertion point. He decided to follow them so that he wouldn't be left alone. The Pelican that dropped them off slowly ascends. Soon enough, it left the area.

Jonah kept his pace with others. Their footfalls are silenced by the thick soil of eroded mud, their heavy breaths that carried the tone of fear could be heard in the comms. Clearly, these guys are just new in combat, even the Squad Leader. Out of the ODSTs present, it seems like he was the only one who has shot somebody.

The terrain was full of humped hills. Its name suits itself due to the fact that the area is indeed, hilly. It makes hard for the ODSTs to traverse around the area but it was good for cover. The Squad Leader held a closed fist up, prompting the others to stop. He put a knee on the ground, the others did as well, including Jonah.

"Alright men, we are not just going to fight any other Covenant aliens out there." The Squad Leader says, his voice has a hint of youth in it. "We are going to fight the Obscured, a Faction aligned with the Covenant. They are dedicated to the Great Journey and ready to fight for their cause. But don't be alarmed, these guys are just an upstart band of fledgling mercenary. They are not that hard to kill. But they are backed by a detachment of Covenant Forces though. So the mission is simple, we are to assist a Marine Platoon down the hills. They are currently under heavy fire. We defend the area with them until reinforcements arrived. Understood?"

"Yes sir!" The ODST chorused. Jonah wondered what are the horrors they are about to face today? Are these Obscured are a bunch of collective aliens just like the Covenant? Who and what are they? Many rhetorical questions formed in his mind. But he decided to derail his thoughts as he focused on the task at hand.

[blackshot]

The Obscured

[blackshot]

One by one, the ODSTs charged ahead at the unknown with little hopes in their hearts that they will get to see the end of this battle. Jonah remembered the first time he dropped from orbit to retrieve that artifact or that data...he could not remember. It has been so long since he entered bootcamp. And it has been a while since the last time he visited his homeworld. Wherever it is. He has forgotten all of it. The innocent memories he bore as a child was drowned by the nightmare of this war, all gone and swept away. He pressed on, strengthening himself with encouraging thoughts. The wind wildly blows against the five armored men of the 153rd. Fog settles in, but it does not hinder their vision, thanks to their visors. As they moved, the horrors unfolds.

Covenant Aliens in a different armor came running about, shooting the UNSC Marines they had pinned down. Jonah noticed that the aliens are wearing green and black armor; from Sangheili to Grunts. They are probably the faction which they called The Obscured. In the battlefield, Covenant Forces are also present, firing at the same helpless target. Jonah refreshed his mind about their objective.

"Hold the position until reinforcements arrived." He muttered to himself as he gripped his weapon tight. The Squad Leader charged into the fray, running towards the nearest cover he could find, a boulder.

Jonah separated from the Squad as he hid behind another boulder. He wasn't that far enough from the Squad, he just stepped away from them so that he could operate alone. Sure, he was aware of the standard protocol about ODST Fireteams, but he just have to be alone since he sees his own teammates as more of a liability due to how inexperienced they were. Besides, they were not even his original Squad.

He took a peek as he spotted a Grunt from the Obscured faction. The ODST wasted no time squeezing the trigger, releasing three bursts of shots towards the alien. Its skull shook as the bullets slammed onto its skull. He fired at its body to ensure its death. Gunfire from his teammates could be heard from his position. He glanced at them, seeing them kill aliens on their own.

Jonah focused back on his targets. He sighted another Grunt and fired, ending its pathetic life in the service of the Obscured. He aimed on his right and spotted a Jackal from the Covenant. He fired thrice, hitting its body. It danced as the bullets slammed onto its torso. The alien wasn't paying much attention to its surroundings. Now it paid the price of being riddled with bullets. Hiding himself back from view, he took a deep breath and peeked at the other side of his cover. Until now, the Aliens were seemed to be unaware of their presence. He like to keep it that way. If, by any chance, these guys found out about them, they will have a hard time dodging bullets.

"The Innies are bad enough! Now these Aliens?! I didn't signed up for this shit!" An ODST says over the comms. It seems like the Trooper was unaware that he was speaking on an open comms channel.

So it wasn't true that these guys were newbies in the art of warfare. They were experienced as he was but not that exposed to the hellish part of combat and violence.

He raised his rifle and sighted an Obscured Grunt, firing at a Marine. Jonah wasted no time as he bore four holes on the Grunt's chest. He turned to the right and fired at a Jackal affiliated with the Obscured. Its shield, raised, reacted as bullets made contact. The Jackal turned to him with a questioned look on its face. Switching to his M6D Pistol, he maximized the scope and aimed at its head. He put two bullets at its forehead, bursting its skull in a gore of purple blood. He has to kill it before it could alert the other Aliens. A duo of Covenant Grunts came charging at the direction of the Marines. He wasted no time as he fired bullets upon bullets at them, which eventually lead them to their deaths.

"Dammit," He muttered for no reason as he reloaded his gun. He switched to his Assault Rifle and refilled its almost empty magazine.

He peeked once more where he spotted a herd of Covenant Grunts being led by an Elite. Jonah snatched his grenade from his belt and cocked back. He took a deep breath as he calculated his throw. The hurled object bounced across the soft soil of the terrain, and landed near the aliens. It exploded, taking the File with it.

Jonah found himself grinning at the score of kills he made for today. He hid himself back again to take a break from the killing. At the corner of his eye, he noticed something. Turning, he saw an Elite from the Obscured. The buzzing sound of its energy sword could be heard even inside his headgear.

"Oh crap." Jonah muttered.

[blackshot]

Jonah jumped away from the Elite as it strikes. He could feel the heat of the energy sword as it swept his previous position. The constant hum of the sword intensifies as the user swings it. Jonah rolled to his right as the Elite tried to impale him. He immediately stood up and aimed at the Elite. Adrenaline filled his veins, his finger automatically squeezed the trigger without hesitation. He acted out of fear and anger, sending a stream of bullets at the Sangheili. Its shield sparked just in time as his Assault Rifle suddenly clicked empty. He quickly switched to his M6D and dove to his left as the Elite moved again to slice him apart. He released a volley of shots at the split-lip, grazing its neck and torso, and a stray shot drilled itself towards the Elite's skull. The alien fell on the ground with a heavy thud, sending mud everywhere. Jonah wiped his visor clean and stood, still dazed from the stress of the battle. He didn't noticed his fellow ODSTs, charging at the thinning enemies. Releasing a deep sigh, he charged forward, not caring if he ever get shot. He leaned on his left as a stray plasma whiffed past him. He was getting lucky this time to avoid such hits. He raised his aim and sighted a Jackal from the Covenant faction. It was firing at the charging ODSTs. It must be the one who also released that shot. He aimed at it and fired but his shots were deflected by its shield.

"Those stupid f*cking shields." He cursed under his breath as he reloaded.

He wandered his eyes around the battlezone where he saw numerous UNSC Marines lying dead on the ground. He jogged towards their direction in hopes of looting a Marksman Rifle that he could use against the Covenant bastards. As soon as he found one, he knelt beside the poor Marine. His eyes were still open and his mouth was hanging agape, as if a suppressed shout has never escaped. He felt bad for the young Marine as he closed his eyes and plucked his dogtag. This is not the time to pity dead people. It's either he kill or be killed. He snatched the Rifle from the Marine's hands and slid the Assault Rifle to his back. He whirled behind him and aimed at the stupid Jackal who was trying to kill them.

"Got you." He whispered as he fired with its head centered at the corsair.

The Jackal fell on the ground, headless. He whirled at the general direction of the enemies and switched to his Assault Rifle where he spotted a trio of Obscured Grunts, charging straight at them. The three were led by a duo of Jackals from the same Faction. Another File from the Covenant that consists of the same ranks poured in, sprinting straight at the remaining UNSC Personnel. And then a trio of Covenant Elite appeared too, only lagging behind them as if they were commanding the Files towards their enemies.

Jonah focused his aim at the Sangheilis behind them. He switched to his Sniper Rifle and cleared his thoughts. The other defenders are busy fighting off the other Covenant and Obscured Aliens. He might as well take care of these nasty beings so that they would not obliterate the defenders by attacking their blind side.

He scanned his surroundings. They were on an open field. Behind him were a dozen of Marines facing the other direction. The enemies's numbers were indeed lessened, but they had them surrounded. Those poor bastards. He sighted a head of an Elite and fired, bursting its skull apart. He switched his gaze to the second one and squeezed the trigger, killing it. The last one noticed Jonah and began running to the other direction to confuse the ODST. Just as Jonah was about to put a bead on him, the nearest File of Obscured opened fire at near range. Jonah switched to his Assault Rifle. The weight of the Rifle on his back was so heavy that his movement was slowed. He jogged desperately away and whirled around. He put a knee on the ground and fired at the nearest Grunt, obliterating its chest with bullets. He aimed at the second one and perforated its corpse with bullet holes. The last one fired its Needler at him. Oh, those cursed weapons. Jonah will be screwed.

He literally jumped from the ground out of shock and confusion as he began running east of his position. The needles are still chasing him. He turned and switched to his M6D Pistol where he punched three bullets at the Grunt's head.

He looked ahead and saw a small boulder. He vaulted over it; the needles hitting the boulder. The remaining Aliens are now chasing him. Switching to his Marksman Rifle, he aimed at the Jackal and put him to eternal rest. He sighted the second one and did the same. The shield immediately penetrated through, causing it to flicker and die, ultimately hitting the Jackal on the chest. With one File down, he aimed at the other and fired at the Covenant Jackal, hitting its chest. The shield were ineffective against the bullet. He switched his aim to the second one and fired, chest disappearing from the shot. Jonah turned to his right and heard the loud footfalls of the charging Sangheili. He immediately tossed a Grenade at the direction of the Elite. Startled, the Elite immediately rolled to the right but the grenade exploded and the blast has sent the Alien rolling elsewhere while midair. He switched to his Assault Rifle and aimed at the charging Grunts. The Unggoys has yet to realize that their leaders are all dead.

"LEADER'S DEAD! RUN AWAY!!" One of the Grunts yelled as they all tucked tail and ran. Jonah did not hesitate to shower them with bullets. Blood oozes out from their wounds as bullets drilled itself to their bodies.

A duo of Obscured Sangheili uncloaked themselves from the distance. Switching to his Marksman Rifle, Jonah fired at the nearest one. Its shields flickering and blue blood spraying from its chest. He ended its life with another shot to the head. The second one charged; Jonah found a plasma grenade among the dead Grunts and immediately picked one. He switched to his M6D Pistol and began firing at the charging Elite.

"You varmint! I am impervious to your bullet!" The Elite yelled.

"Good, because I have surprise you turd!" Jonah yelled as he tossed a plasma grenade at the enemy.

Jumping away, Jonah put more shots at its armor, causing it to flicker and die. The Elite let out a yell as it exploded in bright blue flames.

More Aliens are advancing towards them. Jonah let out a curse as he prepared himself for the worse. But suddenly,

"Reinforcements have arrived!" A voice yelled.

Turning behind, Jonah saw a squadron of Pelicans dropping soldiers after soldiers. They were well-equipped compared to the original ones dispatched earlier. He saw his teammates boarding one of the Pelicans as an extraction. He rushed towards them and climbed up the ramp. The Pelican ascends and left.

[blackshot]

--February 3, 2549--

Jonah stared at the wall between the Marines in front of him. He was sitting beside another ODST Trooper who were about to be sent on a mission with him. The battle he fought last time has somewhat unleashed something within him. He was wanting more bloodshed in this war, he thirsts for more battle. He set the thought aside and made a mental note to see a Psychiatrist after this damn campaign. He was not sure what the hell is going on in Rez but he started to like it in here. The combat and fighting was 360 degrees, 24/7 non stop. He felt thrilled whenever he was sent on missions, even the smallest ones. The adrenaline, the action, all of it.

Once again, he whisked the thoughts away. He was getting mad for sure. No, he's not. It was just probably the stress he received from the fight. Every single time, he always find himself slipping into daydreaming. It's probably just the stress, he thought. One good sleep would refresh his mind back into its good state. He wonders when he would get to return to his homeworld. But he forgets where it is. He was increasingly forgetting almost everything related in his life before. What the hell is going on?

"Marines!" A Sergeant yelled.

Everyone in the small compartment of the Pelican snapped their attention at the Sergeant. They listened carefully at everything he will say.

"Our objective is to retrieve a datapad in an abandoned Forward Base. The area was overrun by the Covenant and their splinter faction that has been aiding them. Get to the designated Extraction Point once you secured the package. Understood?"

"Sir, what's in the package?" A Marine asked.

At that point, Jonah fought the urge to stand from his seat and smash the face of the idiotic Marine to the ground. He just asked a stupid question to someone who doesn't have the answer.

"What the hell did you just asked me, Son?! Who cares what's inside of it?" The Sergeant answered as the Pelican shook. It has touched ground.

The ramp slowly opened, revealing the same view of a grassy Planet. A huge base in the middle of a sea of grass came to view. Numerous green vehicles in black trim surrounds the Forward Base as if it was under scrutiny. Covenant and Obscured Aliens could be seen guarding the four corners of the Forward Base. It seems like whoever coordinate this attack wants the package badly that he sent both factions to retrieve it.

Jonah readied himself as he followed his fellow soldiers towards the enemies. He knows that this will escalate into an assault, a very dangerous assault for the control of the Forward Base.

"Breach the Forward Base Alpha-Beta!!" A voice over the comms spoke.

Jonah ignored it as he raised his sight and aimed at a Grunt. He fired at the Obscured, shattering its chest plate in a million pieces with bullet holes. He turned to his right and engaged a Jackal. Firing his Assault Rifle at it endlessly, the alien raised its shield in an instinct-driven move. Its reactive shield sparked and disentegrated as it received heavy damage. Soon enough, bullets shattered its skull and body.

The other UNSC Forces has engaged the defending Aliens. Jonah glanced around at the chaotic surroundings as he tried to find the Sergeant. He saw him with a duo of Marines heading towards the entrance of the Base.

He rushed towards their direction aiming at the obstructing Covenant Jackal. He sent his elbow launching at its face, breaking its jaws. The impact has sent the alien on the ground. Jonah placed a foot on its chest and squeezed the trigger, purple blood fountained all over him.

He continued his run towards the entrance. He tossed a grenade at the rooftop of the base to eliminate the two Obscured Elites sniping the UNSC Forces down below. The blast has sent the duo flying and hitting the ground below. Blood sprayed everywhere.

Stepping inside, he saw the Sergeant with his two lackeys firing at a quartet of Covenant Elites. A trio of Grunts accompanied their superiors in the prolonged gunfight.

Jonah knelt a knee beside the Sergeant as he fired thrice at a Grunt. He switched aim and trained his gun on the Elite behind it. He fired thrice, causing its shield to flicker. Stray plasma shots came speeding towards them. Jonah reacted quickly as he pressed his back against the wall on the right. The plasma whiffed past him and the Sergeant, who was ducking below. Unfortunately for the two Marines, they were roasted by plasma shots. Jonah took aim as he fired at the same Elite, causing it to stagger and fall, dead.

He noticed the two dead Grunts ahead of them. It seems like the Sergeant has taken care of those hippies that acted more of a distraction than a real enemy to be reckoned with. He raised his rifle and fired at the second Elite he spotted. The alien stepped to the left and fired thrice, sending bursts of plasma at his way. Jonah rolled to the left, evading the shots. The wall he previously stood against has been scorched badly. Looking back at the Elite, he fired multiple times once more; the bullets soon penetrated against its chest. Blood sprayed everywhere as it fell on its back.

A trio of Marines soon came in to aid them alongside two ODSTs. But the gunfire outside hasn't died down which probably means that there are other UNSC Personnel left outside. They charged deeper that hallway and reached a sealed door that is only accessible with a press of a button. The Sergeant carried the act of opening it, causing the door to hiss open. There, an Obscured Elite with his back facing them greeted them. Jonah immediately tackled it to the ground. As the Elite tripped off balance, Jonah drew out his M6D Pistol and aimed at its head. He let off three shots, alerting the other Aliens in the area.

Looking up, Jonah found himself staring at an office complex. Desks and computers are common sight in the area. Papers were strewn everywhere and the ventilation ducts were deformed by either misuse or the temperature of the weather. A steam of cold vapor could be seen leaking from one of the destroyed ducts, lowering the temperature of the room.

Rolling ahead, Jonah rushed towards a nearby box and took cover as the UNSC Forces floods in. A trio of Elites are present in the area together with a number of Grunts and Jackals.

"We have to access one of these computers and find that package!" The Sergeant yelled as he pressed himself against the cubicle.

"Yes sir!" A voice agreed.

Jonah peeked from his cover and spotted a Grunt from the Obscured Faction. He fired at it multiple times until his gun clicked empty.

He hid back and reloaded his gun. He heaved a deep sigh before revealing himself from cover as he headed straight down the isle. He has to navigate the labyrinth of cubicles in this complex to find a stupid computer and locate that package. He turned to the left and spotted a duo of Covenant Grunts and a Jackal. He aimed at the Jackal and fired, completely ignoring the Grunts. He took cover behind the cubicle as the Grunts fired at him. Switching to his M6D, he aimed at the Jackal again and fired thrice, causing its shield to flicker and die. He fired at its skull twice then to its chest. He hid back as the Grunts fired again but upon seeing their leader dead, they ceased attacking. Jonah revealed himself and ended their lives with a bullet to the head each.

Advancing, he found a gap of space in the middle of the cubicles, leading deeper office. The battle around him is just beginning as the gunfire intensifies. He ignored them as he pressed on. He encountered a single Grunt, aiming its gun at him. Jonah fired multiple times at it, causing it to fall on the ground. He switched to his Assault Rifle and continued his journey, turning left and right in the maze of cubicles, avoiding dead ends that leads to an empty desk.

Soon enough, he found a functioning computer. He knelt in front of it and worked on. In the middle of typing something, he heard a low grunt behind him. He whirled with his gun aimed at whatever it is behind him, and saw a Grunt charging its weapon. Jonah fired without hesitation, destroying its body with multiple shots. Its charged plasma weapon has sent the energy ball to a ventilation duct, sending more steaming vapors in the room. He turned as he continued working on the computer.

After a few minutes, he spoke on the comms and said, "Sir, I have located the package."

"Good, get back here at once." The Sergeant says, his voice is audible to both the comms and the room.

He tracked his way back to his comrades. Soon enough, he saw them, shooting down the very last Covenant Elite.

Jonah pressed a button on the side of his helmet, feeding the data to the Marines and ODSTs around them. This allowed the Sergeant to lead the further.

The group moved out of the office complex and found themselves standing on a claustrophobic hallway. Jonah took a deep breath as they moved forward. They came into an intersection where both sides are occupied by the Obscured and the Covenant. Jonah whirled to his right because it was the only direction closest to him. He aimed at the Grunt and fired thrice, the Obscured fell down within seconds. He aimed on his left and fired at the Covenant Grunt, bursting its skull open. He ducked lower as a plasma whiffed overhead. He aimed back at the Jackal who launched it. He fired thrice then switched to his M6D, the bullets punched through its skull. The Obscured fell just like its brethren. Switching back to his Assault Rifle, he opened fire at the remaining Covenant Elite, wasting his entire clip on it. He moved to his right as a plasma reached him. He could feel his right shoulder burn. He ignored the stinging pain as he raised his rifle, his shoulder protesting. He fired multiple times once more after reloading his weapon. The Elite fell down on the ground, dead. Jonah losed his grip and dropped the weapon with a loud thud. He bent and picked the Assault Rifle forcibly and slid it on his back. Raising his M6D rifle with his left hand, he looked on his left; towards the others. He was relieved when the Sergeant gave permission to press on.

Continuing forward, the Sergeant led the team to another door. He pressed it open, an interrogation room greeted them. A briefcase could be seen on the wooden table. The steel walls were left without a paint, so that the detainee could stare at it in depression.

"File out, move!!" The Sergeant ordered.

The group immediately left the area the way they came in. They walked out of the cold office complex and the entrance. The fighting around the Forward Base is already over long ago. The UNSC Personnel stood victorious, but only at the expense of a hundred dead soldiers, this is evident, seeing a lot of Human corpses around. A Pelican is already waiting for them and the survivors of the battle.

Jonah followed his team towards the open Pelican. He was glad that he could finally leave this place.

[blackshot]

--February 5, 2549--

Seconds had bled into minutes, there is no instance that Jonah had ceased firing. He had just downed his twelfth Grunt in the firefight and bled a third Elite into death, but not without the help of the nearby ODSTs with him who were also firing at the same target. He tossed the empty clip of his rifle on the ground; blood-stained grasses muffling its fall. He replaced it with a fresh new clip, magazine clicking into position. He aimed once more, this time at his fourth Elite. He fired six times, armor reacting as the shield receives the punishment. The superior alien fired back. Jonah ducked, the boulder he was hiding behind was scorched by black plasma marks. He revealed himself again as he fired at the opposing enemy. Five more shots were required to disable the alien's shield. He fired three more shots, bullets hitting the steel armor of the alien. he could notice purple blood spilling out of the bullet wounds he had made. The Elite fired back thrice. Jonah could tell that the alien was angry as the third shot almost hit him. He ducked and avoided the plasma that flew overhead above him, missing him by mere inches. He peeked again, muzzle raised and fired four more times. The bullets punched through the chest-plate of the enemy. Its body shook as the Grim Reaper's scythe harvested its soul.

"Men, fall back!" A Marine Sergeant yelled. Jonah could tell that it wasn't coming from the comms. It was a loud, audible noise outside of his headgear barked as an order. He wasn't sure if it was an order yelled to the Marines only or if it was a universal order intended for the ODSTs and Marines alike. Nonetheless, he followed the command as if it was being ordered to him.

His body springing up from a ducking position. He slowly moved backwards while firing randomly, not caring if he hit or misses an enemy. He just fell back together with more of comrades, out of the opening as the Obscured started to advance towards them. The roles were somewhat reversed in an absurd way. The attackers became the defenders and the defenders became the attackers. With the Ghosts leading the flock of Obscured, they increased their pace of retreat.

Fate has a weird role that it plays on the game of war. Miracle and salvation came as Jonah heard a low rumbling noise. He glanced back and saw what it looks like to be a quartet of Grizzly Tanks arriving. The Marines and ODSTs cheered as the Battle Tanks smashed onto the nearby boulders and blew up the nearest Ghost in bright purple flames infused with orange ones from the Tank's ammunition. Jonah rushed towards one of the Grizzly Tanks and mounted just beside it. He extends his hand to another ODST as he helped him mount himself. With everything set, the Tanks moved across the battlegrounds. More rumbling noise hit Jonah's eardrums as another quartet of Grizzly Tanks announced their arrival. The UNSC intends to destroy the Obscured's base and they really mean it.

He sighted another Grunt and fired at it a couple of times. He raised his aim once more, this time, settling it at a shield-less Jackal. He wasted four ammunitions on it, ending its life. He aimed at the left and fired at the other Grunt, taking it down. Soon enough, the vehicle he was mounting on has shook violently. Gunpowder burst racked his ears and the heat, even with a helmet on, he could feel it on his face. His vision became blurred momentarily and all he could hear was a long ting! The Tank had fired upon a Hunter, bursting it apart. The nearby Tanks doing the same, firing at targets that would deal heavy damage to their Forces, which in this case, Hunters and Ghosts. The Obscured Guards eventually retreated inside the halls of the base, making it clear enough for the Fireteams and Marines to invade the territory.

Soon enough, the UNSC had seized the area and an orbital strike from a nearby vessel was requested, levelling the base to the ground.

[blackshot]

--February 10, 2549--

Jonah gripped the hand trigger of the machine gun tight as the Gauss Warthog sped across the grassy terrain of Rez. Six more Warthogs were speeding across the grassy area, accompanying their Warthog. Three Hornets flying in a triangular formation can be heard behind, a few Scorpion Tanks were trailing behind them. The unit was mounting an attack against an Obscured Base. Without support from the Covenant, the Obscured was technically weak. The superior technology possessed by the splinter faction was next to useless without the martial discipline enforced by the Covenant.

Jonah aimed at an Elite and fired. The Obscured fell backwards as stream of bullets perforated its armored body. He jumped to the next target, a Grunt, and fired. Blue blood sprayed in the air as the machine gun riddled it with heated rounds.

The machine guns from the other Warthog spoke, taking down Grunts after Grunts and Elites after Elites. Jonah preyed on a Jackal and fired. Rounds bounced off its shield. It rolled backwards as their Warthog accelerated towards it. A Grunt was ran over instead. Jonah disembarked from the Warthog and fired at the Jackal until its shield deactivates. At this point, the Jackal knew it was screwed.

Six rounds was all it takes to eliminate the alien threat. Jonah whirled behind him to face more Obscured Grunts. He took down the nearest one with steady bursts from his rifle. Then he eliminated the second one with rounds to the skull. He moved to a nearby rock as he aimed at the third one and terminated it with rounds to the chest.

The other ODSTs began to storm the perimeter of the base. Jonah scanned his surroundings; the UNSC has overran the Obscured base in an instant. The only remaining opposition was the Elites, Grunts and Jackals that have retreated inside the Covenant structure. Unlike any structure from the Covenant Empire, this one was painted in the motifs of the Obscured: green and black. That, of course, is not a problem anymore now that the Scorpion Tanks had arrived to destroy the base.

Jonah and the other ODSTs embarked on the Warthog and sped away as the Scorpion Tanks carried out their purpose.