The Halo RPG: RPG Thread (Story Arc 1)

[SurvivorX]

//OOC: Please keep all Out of Character posts in // brackets like this one is, to keep people from being confused. And do not post if you're not going to make an incharacter post. If all you want to do is make an OOC post, use the OOC thread for that.

[maxii1]

Rifleman Reilly quickly retrieved his fallen Battle Rifle, it had been dropped when the lifeboat had hit the ground.
He was unsure of who else had made it aboard before it had exited the ship, he looked at his fellow passengers, all a bit shaken but ready for action.
Reilly turned his head, looking for the most senior soldier among them.
The Pilot of the BumbleBee Escape Pod seemed the worst for wear, the landing had been far from smooth, not that it was the Pilots fault.
"You Okay there?" asked Reilly as he unbuckeled his harness.

[SurvivorX]

I close my eyes, letting the freezing-cold wind run over my scales. This ring is uncomfortably cold, I think, but to let this discomfort become a distraction will not do. I must grow used to the chill.

I lean my head back, opening my mouth to let the cold touch me. My helmet is off. We have just landed, I doubt there are any enemy snipers nearby yet. Besides, I am sitting in the cockpit of my squad's Shadow - I am safe enough.

I open my eyes in time to see a shape in the air coalesce into a light-blue-armored Elite. Gaza 'Kaezodee walks towards me.

He states his report in deep, crisp tones. "Sir, the Human ship is yet unclaimed. There is nothing to stand in the way of us simply taking it now."

I nod and grunt. "Get on," I say simply as I start up the vehicle. He leaps up onto the side, climbing up onto the passenger section and nodding to Nitroxus in the gunner's seat as he settles in.

I push the controls forward and the Shadow starts to move in the direction of the ship.

[Deleted]

I woke to the sound of murmuring voices. I was propped in an uncomfortable position, against a rock or something else as far as I could tell. When I opened my eyes all I could see past the cracked face mask of my helmet was black sky dotted by stars. I lift my head, catching the attention of a female medic, "Thank god your alright, we had to drag you out of the ship when we heard the Covenant coming."

I groan, before clambering to my feet and grabbing an assualt rifle offered to me by a marine, "Any clue where we are?"

"No, sir," was the solemn reply.

Without any warning, I started walking, scanning through the COM channels, "This is Private First Class Johnathon Palinckx, I am stranded with five marines, and we need immediate evac, repeat, is there any birds in the air ready to pick us up?"

"Negative Private, we cannot assist you, sorry but your on your own," The pilot replied.

Damn, "Can you atleast send me the position of the Crimson Morning?"

There was a slight pause before the pilot said, "Sending now."

The Waypoint showed up on my HUD, indicating is was southwest of our position and an extremely large distance away. Talk about your mornings jog.

[rico]

"Alright, lets just take one last look-see." I say to myself as i crawl to the top of a nearby hill overlooking a nearby Covenant Fortress. Taking out a pair of binoculars i zoom in on the enemy base.

"Well this don't look too good." I mumble to myself.

Taking one last look i quickly slide down the hill and run to wards the Lifeboat i came down on. It didn't look good. Not only the Covenant have a nearby stronghold but by the looks of things they were preparing to mobilize. Arriving back at the pod i quickly gather round the troops and begin to brief them.

"Alright, listen up. We need to get back to the Crimson Morning and regroup with the rest of our forces. Not only that we have an enemy stronghold directly to the west of us. We need to prepare for what will most likely be an imminent attack." I say scanning the motley crew assembled before me.

"Scavenge as much equipment as you can and lets get the hell out of here. Leave the dead."

"Sir?" One Private said looking flabbergast

"Don't worry, we'll be back for them. But right now our survival is more important." I say placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Any more questions?"

"No, sir!" they reply.

"Good lets move out."

The group quickly disperses and sets to following the orders issued. I sling the rifle over my back and quickly set out to help everyone else.

[SurvivorX]

As eerily silent as its namesake, our Shadow moves across the ground. No contact with the ground means no crunching of snow, no tink of ice under our treads or wheels breaking, no sound of a drive system. Just a low hum audible only to my ears, and the medium-pitched whine above from the gun turret that Nitroxus sits in.

I can see the ship growing larger with each minute that passes. The thing isn't much larger than the Humans' frigates, but is surprisingly wide and stocky for its size. The entire hull is blackened and burnt from reentry, but it appears to have taken surprisingly little damage. I remember tales of a "Halcyon" ship that the Humans used, earlier on in the war, that could take enough hits to drop an Assault Carrier and still remain in action. Perhaps this ship shares design elements.

I narrow my eyes. The ships' design matters not. It can be the single most indestructible ship in the universe, but the fact of the matter is we shot it down and no circumstance can change that.

We pass into the ship's shadow. I shiver slightly, as the system's sun ceases to warm our vehicle and we are left only with whatever our own bodies produce to keep warm. Nitroxus, the Reading Brute, says that there are quite a few species of animal with similar physiology to Elites on their planet, that are nonetheless unable to produce their own body heat. I feel sorry for such animals, and wonder how evolution decided that such was unnecessary.

We arrive at an airlock at a little higher than ground level. Everyone clambers off the Shadow, and I glance around. There is a small alcove nearby that we can slip the Shadow into. We do so, and Nitroxus begins holding up Zeeker so that he can jack his datapad into the Humans' computer terminal next to the airlock, and get the door open. About ten minutes (and one disgruntled Brute) later, the door slides open and Nitroxus and I start helping the others climb up. Gaza hops up first, activates his active camo, and stalks in silently, ahead of the group.

As I leap up, I look back to see seven other Shadows following behind us. We left early. It doesn't matter. The ship may as well be ours. Now to hunt down these supply caches...and destroy them.

[maxii1]

"Scavenge as much equipment as you can and lets get the hell out of here. Leave the dead."
Pvt. Reilly had already grabbed two discarded Battle Rifle Magazines, it was all that he could fit in his pack.

His Pack: A figure of so much questioning from his fellow fighters, Lt. Davis was always after it's contents. If he had known of what was inside the backpack he may have been more weary of the Private.

Reilly was the only 'GreenJacket' among the surviving Party. He knew that his marksmanship would be in high demand.
He addressed the Senior Officer "Sir, I'm a Rifleman. Would you let me take position on a high point?"
The Senior Officer wasn't convinced.
"Just to maintain some overwatch whilst the rest of the force move off?"

Reilly was in the mindset that they had to hold the lifeboat, but why should that be the case?

The small fighting force could easily leave and fall back to the Crimson Morning. If that was the objective then Reilly could with some support help keep the enemy at bay for a short time.

[elando]

As if from a long way off, I heard a faint voice growing louder. "Sarge! Hey! He's over here!" It said, gradually getting clearer. The voice was barely recognizable to me. I tried to move as my senses began to slowly return. Then, the pain. At first it was bareable but as I tried to lift my head it really came on. Acute pain all over. I lay still, trying to let the rest of my senses return properly.

I sniffed in and recognized the smell of burning shuttle fuel and flesh. Suddenly it all came flooding back. The pursuit of the covenant ship, the space battle, the evacuation and then, nothing. I opened my eyes and saw, for the first time, the bright sun which must have been orbiting the ring like object we had found. I slowly raised my hand to shield my eyes but someone's silhouette came into view.

"It's alright Randy. We just came in a bit hard, mate." Said the figure. "Dan, that you?" I murmured. "Yeah, Sergeant Pink and the rest of Fireteam Bravo must have come down in a different pod." He replied. "Now, lets get you on your feet." Suddenly a second person appeared and both he and Corporal Styles lifted me back onto my feet. "How are you feeling sir?" Asked the figure next to me. As my eyesight adjusted I could see it was Private Cutting. "Like a pile of shit." I replied, the slight taste of blood in my mouth.

"Well you did fly a hell of a long way when we landed." Said Styles. I looked around to see the smoking wreckage of the lifeboat about 2 meters away. "How the bloody hell you managed to get launched out the back when we landed I have no idea..." He said, looking in the direction of the lifeboat as well. Black smoke was billowing out the cracked cockpit windshield. "We hit the side of a glacier as we came in, cracked the pilots windshield and he's fucked up pritty bad. Most the other marines are dead, its just you, fireteam Alpha and two other marines. Some yank called Daniel Jackson and a Russian bloke called Dimitri Rascalov, right bunch of characters they are." Dan said, turning back to me.

I noticed, around the lifeboat there were two marines as well a two ODST's who I recognized as Private Leat and Private Court. "Looks like they're coming with us then." I said, staggering away from the support of Cutting and Styles. Everything hurt and I had a stinging headache but I had to keep moving. "Gather weapons and ammo." I said. "Don't even bother sorting out the guys inside the lifeboat. Just take their tags and lets move out. We'll come back for them later."

This was met by a hearty chorus of "Yes, sir" as the men all set to work stripping anything of value off the lifeboat and the dead men inside. It seemed disrespectful but it's what they would of wanted. Better for us to use it than some Covenant arsehole to come along and nick it later. "So whats the plan?" Said Styles. "We need to get to the Crimson Morning and secure the crash site, hopefully we'll meet up with Sergeant Pink there and some of the other lads. Lets just hope the Covenant haven't Pikied any of the heavy weapons we had on board..." I replied.

I walked towards the Lifeboat and Private Leat tossed a Battle Rifle into my hands. "Good to have you back, Sir." He said. "Just glad god gifted me with another day to kick some more split lip arse." I replied, checking the magazine on the battle rifle and cocking it as I replaced that magazine. "Lets move out to the Crimson Morning. Hopefully someone else survived the crash. If they did, thats where they'll be heading." I said to everyone in general.

They each gave their own sign of approval and we set off up the steep slope towards the clouds of smoke we could see billowing up over the horrizon...

[darknight101]

Sergeant Wilson got out of the lifeboat, holding his MA5C out in front of him, he swung it from side-to-side. He leaned his head out of the lifeboat and got a face full of cold air, after looking around he wondered why he was surprised. Everything on the ground was frozen solid, when he took a step onto the ice there wasn't a cruch of snow, just the impact of boot on something solid.

"Radioman?" he yelled back into the pelican. He could see the top of the Crimson Morning just over the top of a hill, he could also see a ravine in between them. Before he could form any strategy the Radioman called back.

"Yeah, Sarge?"

He turned back to the interior of the lifeboat, two of the marines had died, they had been hurt due to damage on the ship "Try and get on with the Crimson, see if they can spare any Pelican's to retrieve us," he said.

"Negative, they can't get any Birds in the air." he reported.

"They give a good reason?"

"Negative, but Covies could be swarming all over here, and the crash may have disabled their Bays."

Ronald nodded solemnly, "Good excuse, you'd make a fine politician, Snowden."

he gave a laugh "Thanks, Sarge."

"Alright boys, it appears that we're on our own, now as much as I hate freezing weather I also hate being a sitting duck, so we need to get back to the crash site as soon as possible. It's a big risk, I won't lie, there may be only rocks and dirt as cover or there may not be anything at all, but the Morning has everything we could ever want in the way of equipment, and we can't let it fall into enemy hands. So gear up, Marines! Take ammo off of your fallen comrades, they won't be needing it."

When they were ready he and the marines set off at a jog for the form of the ship.

[SurvivorX]

Our commanding Elite's voice filled our ears as he gave commands over the radio. "We have detected several groups of Humans moving towards the crash site. We can't nail down which ones are real and which ones are radar ghosts - so much damned hash in the atmosphere from the crash - so we can't intercept them properly. We'll send out a few Banshees, but expect them to attempt to force entry into the ship at any moment."

"Acknowledged," I grunt. We haven't found a damn thing yet.

Gaza comes up alongside me. "Sir, I have located a Human vehicle."

I nod. "Take me to it."

We move along the corridors quickly, and I look out at the vehicle. It looks like the ones the humans call a Warthog. It appears to have smashed through the door out of a now-caved-in motor pool, but is still in repairable condition.

I turn to Zeeker. "Can you disable it permanently?"

He shakes his head. "Not without access to the actual mechan-"

WHAM. CRASH. SLAM.

Nitroxus sets his Brute Shot blade aside after smashing it repeatedly into the hood of the vehicle, then pries the armor plates apart before reaching in with a plasma grenade.

"Out of the room!" he hollars as we all duck for cover.

BLAM! The entire vehicle detonates brilliantly, sending shrapnel into every wall.

"Well done, Nitroxus, but next time let's not waste a grenade."

[rico]

A Private lagged behind as the rest of the troops went off to scavenge for supplies and equipment.

"Sir, I'm a Rifleman. Would you let me take position on a high point?"

I glanced at him and was unconvinced but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Just to maintain some over watch whilst the rest of the force move off, Private."

I turn and call out to the nearest soldier and watch as he jogs on over.

"Whats your name, soldier?"

"Private Davidson, sir."

"Well Private, assist Private Reilly here with Over watch. If you see anything, Covenant or Human, i want to know within 30 seconds. Understood?"

"Sir, yes sir!" They replied in unison and quickly run off to some high ground

I key my radio and check to make sure its working. The buzz of static fills my ears and i sigh with frustration. Jogging over to a nearby soldier, i instantly recognize him as an ODST.

"Sir." The Sergeant says pulling off a crisp salute.

"At ease Sergeant. My radio's out, does yours still work?"

"Yes, sir. Want me to send out a message?"

"Aye, see if there is any birds squawking in the air and try and get in contact with any other survivors."

"Yes, sir."

I pick up some spare Battle Rifle ammo lying at my feet as the Sergeant begins to send out the message."

"This is Sergeant Pink to any UNSC forces in the area, over."

I turn on my radio hoping to see if it could still receive signals. Pink looks over at me and i nod "Try again Sergeant."

"This is Sergeant Pink to any UNSC forces in the area please respond, over."

The speakers in my helmet crackle as static fills my helmet. "The terrain and weather could be interfering with the signal, sir."

"Hmm. Keep trying Sergeant." I turn and face everyone else.

"Listen up. Get all your kit together and prepare to move out in five minutes. Understood?"

"Sir, yes sir." They chorused.

I unslung the rifle from my back and check to make sure its in working condition. Hitting the magazine release catch i pick out a fresh mag from my ammo pouch and slam it into the receiver. An ammo counter and targeting reticule appear in my HUD. I smile with satisfaction and check to make sure i have sufficient ammo to spare in case of a fire fight. Five magazines to spare along with the one currently loaded in the rifle.

"Anything yet Sergeant?" I ask.

"Not yet, sir. Maybe once we get moving we'll get something."

"Agreed. Alright men. Lets move out. Private Reilly and Davidson, your up front. Sergeant your with me. Everyone else, staggered file formation, quickly as we can. Lets move it ladies."

I set off at a brisk pace to wards the rising smoke in the distance to where i hope, where more survivors. . .

[walancer]

The Pilot of the bumble bee had landed the escape pod with the precision that were required to graduate from flight school. What he was not expecting was the sudden whip lash he had received from the touch down. All the other occupants of the pod were unharmed.

Cpl. Baird was the first one out of the pod, he took a quick look at his surroundings and instantly noticed his black ODST armor stood out like a sore thumb. The other ODST was right on his six and they both instinctively split into two assigned fire sectors if there were any contacts. The other members of the pod consisted of the pilot, 2 marines, and 4 navy enlisted. Baird had his standard kit when the ship had gone to general quarters. It consisted of his M48 LMG, a standard issue side arm, 4 extra box magazines, 1 extra barrel, Standard ODST armor with on board computer and power pack.

Baird got on his comm while the rest of the members of his party started putting on the winter gear that was stowed in the escape pod.

"To any UNSC personnel, please respond."

[wtiger]

Escape Pod 3

" Well, this is a bastard."

Mark's hands were busy as he lighted a cigarette and peered around the landscape. The sight that greeted him from the entrance to the escape pod wasn't pretty, all snow. A barren landscape that held no clue to where they were from anyone else.

He took a draw and let it out slowly, he couldn't tell what was the smoke or the moisture coming out of his nostrils. Still it cleared his head, turning he viewed the fellow passengers of the life pod.

His whole squad was here Grey, Tony and Metterick were here as well as an ODST and another marine. All of them were alive by chance, the soft snow most likely, and were checking equipment. By this time the radio started crackling through the overhead speakers, words forming through the haze.

"zxnxzxzxzzzzz-Pink to- zxxnzzzzis-SC forces-zxzx-ea- znzcxx"

Mark looked up at it in disgust, they didnt build these things like they used to. Turning to the ODST he puffed on his cigarette,

"You there,"- he pointed at he helmeted man"- see if you can get a decent signal on your radio, and call them back. They're proably trying to find us all."

He turned to the rest of the men,"You all need to grab as much guns and gear as you can so we can move if need be. Grey, come with me so we can check around to see if we can see the Crimson Morning by sight."

Mark grabbed a pair of binoculars as did Grey, both of them set out from the escape pod. The snow was deep but didnt interfere with vision, though the canyon walls didnt help.

They wernt far away from the pod when a shimmering glimmer appeared far down the canyon. Both men stopped to look at it throught he binoculars.

"hmmm..." Mark puffed on his cigarette, " Grey what do you see?"

Grey frowned, " well theres a large structure about 7km down there, silvery gray with a few purple, pillars it looks like."

"Are any of them moving?"

"i cant tell from here but they might-" Grey stopped and zoomed in again,"- Wraiths."

Mark's stomagh fell a few feet in his gut, he took another draw at his cigarette and opened a channel.

"Everyone grab a gun and get out of the pod!"

Metterick's voice came back through to him " But Mark, we still havent figured out-"

Mark cut him off, " i know which way were going, away from the Covenant tanks that are barreling towards us, Men we crash landed on the worst anthill that you could find. So i want everyone out and haul'in it, no excuses Get Moving!"

[elando]

"This...argent Pink to...SC forces...ease respond, over." Came a voice through the comms system. Even through the static I could recognise it as Sergeant Pink. "Pink, this is Hallam, over. Fireteam Alpha is ok and we have two extra marines. We're heading for the Crimson Morning, where the bloody hell are you?" I said over the radio, stopping and pressing my fingers to the side of my helmet to try and hear the radio clear. "Looks like...ndread meters north of you, Sir. Trying...oost radio strength but milit...load of bollocks." Pink replied, static still filling the transmition. "Alright, head towards the ship. Have you got anyone else with you?" I said, hopeing that everyone else would be alright.

"Bravo team is good...ot a Private Reily who's some bloody marksman wanker...nd a Lieutenant Rodrigez who's not bad." He replied as the static finally cleared. "Righto." I said, chuckleing. "Meet us at the Crimson Morning ASAP, looks like the Covenant are already there though." I finished as an explosion sounded in the distance. "Roger that, see you there." Pink replied. "Alright, stay frosty." I said, nodding to the rest of the squad and proceeding up the hill.

I motioned to the squad to get low as we approached the top of the incline and we knelt down as we began to see what remained of the ship we rode in on. A few Covenant shadows were left by the ship while more were heading in from the east.

"We wait on Pink and the rest of his team." I said. "Then we'll go ruin their little tea party..."

[darknight101]

The six-man squad jogged on the solid ice cautiously, one man had already slipped on the ice. From their position Wilson could see this river over a way's to his left, it led into this underground cavern or some such. As he looked back towards the ship he could have sworn he saw some tear-drop shaped glints begin to fly away from it.

"Sarge" Snowden, or 'Radioman' said "I can't tell if it's the wind in my ear, but I can swear that I head something over the radio."

"Any way to boost the signal? Maybe pull off some Hollywood spy movie crap?"

"As much as I'd love too, I don't want to screw around with equipment that's about as old as my mother." the squad got a laugh out of that, in between desperate breaths.

"Sergeant Wilson, do you hear that noise?" A private named McCarthy said.

It suddenly became very quiet, Ronald still struggled to hear over the wind. He heard something like screaming.

"Banshees, take cover!" he said. There was only a few rocks to use as cover, nonetheless, they all made mad dash just as a blue stream of fire stitched the snow, cutting down another private. Another stream of plasma shot across the marine's front, but hit none of them.

They made it into cover, taking aim with the weapons they had. Wilson took aim at a Banshee that was lazily drifting in the air, beautiful almost, but even better, complacent in it's superiority. He let loose with his Assault Rifle, the Banshee started shaking before pulling away, and Wilson was forced back into cover by a strafe from the other one. The Banshee loosed a Plasma bomb, the heat forced Ronald to quickly let go of the rock he was hugging, it felt like one million degrees! He quickly dropped to one knee and placed his hands on the ice. He made sure there weren't any serious bruns before standing back up.

"Any heavy weapons?" he yelled at the others as plasma bombs hit the rocks.

"None." one soldier said.

"Concentrate fire on my mark" he said just as the strafing one began to turn up "Now!" 4 MA5Bs and 1 Sniper Rifle opened up on it. As it shook, blue sparks flared out of it, and eventually it took a sharp turn and began to head back for repairs.

After one last strafe the other Banshee followed it and flew back towards the wreckage of the Morning. He knew about the weapon complaments on the ship, and the Hornets that were in the bays, and knew more than ever that UNSC Forces had to reach there fast.

"Snowden, you said something about other voices on the COM?"

"Yeah, Sarge. Could just be static or wind playing tricks, but I can't be sure."

"Well send them a message. Something along the lines of 'Lifeboat D heading towards Crimson Morning. Looking to regroup with any UNSC presence. Has experienced air assault, so be on the lookout.' You know, general stuff.

With that, the rest of the squad head out at a reduced pace, and listening to the air far more carefully.

Now what am I going to do about that damn ravine?

[Deleted]

After atleast an hour of walking, dodging scouts, and looking around for other survivors, the team of marines and myself had reached the halfway point. It was an extremely large cliff, and it overlooked the whole area. I could see two of the lifepods, and the crimson morning, though I couldn't make anything out at the distance we were from it. Looked like we will be walking alone for awhile longer.

"Well looks like we are going the long way arou-," As the words left my mouth, the ice under one of the marines cracked, and he went jutting down the cliff. I grabbed for his arm but I was too late, and he tumbled down the side of the cliff. My first thought was how cliche, before Shit. The sound of his bones breaking rang up the side of the hill, "Hey, wait there! We will come to get you!"

"You three, try to find a way to that marine over the hills, you, help me find a way down the side of this cliff." The three marines jog off and I start inspecting the side of the cliff. It was mostly barren, everything withered away by the wind or covered by snow. But there might be enough handholds to atleast slide down safely.

"Hey, watch me closely and follow along," I grab a rock jutting out, stick my feet into the cold, wet snow, and slide off towards the nearest footstop. The marine and myself proceed like this for another twenty minutes or so before we reach the bottom, and rush to the fallen marine, who still held his broken leg, wincing in pain.

"Sir, there is no way down from here without going near that Covenant stronghold, and I'm not willing to try to fight off a horde of 'em with the three of us," I had nearly forgotten that I had sent the marines that way, and now I regretted it, considering we had gotten down about as safely as possible.

"See if you can find another way down the side of the cliff," I answer, turning back to the injured marine.

I wrap his foot and throw him over my shoulders, opening up my COM again, "We have another life boat in sight, and an injured marine with us, is anyone over there?" I would send up a flare, but that would indefinitely alert the Covenant, so I would have to rely on the hope that they could see us this far off.

//my guys are coming from lifepod A and at this point I guess this can be considered even with what everyone else is posting, sry just I wanna save some time with these guys joggin twice as long as everyone else lol. Oh yeah, we are also near lifepod C, after coming from lifepod A//

[SurvivorX]

I find myself at a window of the ship. I have a great view from up here. The transparent compound is broken - why would the Humans even need windows on a ship? What does it matter if the passengers can see outside? Silly comfort-minded fools.

And now it turns to advantage for us. I contact another group a level lower down.

" 'Loramee, I have located an excellent vantage point for your Jackal snipers to take position. They should be able to attack the Humans as they attempt to regroup out in the open."

"Thank you 'Talamee. I shall advance to your position immediately."

I stick a marker on my current position for 'Loramee to see on his eye coverings, and then move down back to Bleadaron and Nitroxus's positions, further in.

"Has Gaza found anything yet?"

"Just a few armories, but most are caved in. Lizleem is wiring one of them to be demolished now. We should begin reinforcing certain areas before the Humans arrive. Our first arrival has given us an advantage for now, but this ship shall soon be a battlefield."

"Zeeker, give me a schematic of the ship."

He passes me his datapad, with a 3D representation of the ship's interior. It seems like such a simple, primitive design, yet just convoluted enough to make it difficult to fight in. I wonder if they built it like that intentionally - to deter boarders?

I select the bridge, located on the top of the ship. It will have a good defense area, and provide an escape - over the top of the outside of the ship - if we should have to retreat. The enemy will have a difficult time breaching it and if they do eventually succeed, not all is lost.

I radio for Gaza to secure the bridge and meet us there, and we move out as soon as Lizleem arrives. As we move upwards, I hear a muffled boom.

[wtiger]

"We have another life boat in sight, and an injured marine with us, is anyone over there?"

Mark puffed another cloud of smoke, he opened a channel

"This is Mark Nuchetti, Corporal, mark you position and hang tight."

A diamond flicked up on the display as Mark activated there own, his group came up onto the rise and looked at the landscape before him. The marine had obviously fell from the cliff above, the rest had slid there way down. He drew in one last time on his cigarette and chucked the filter onto the ground, letting the smoke drift out of his mouth savoring the flavor of the tabacco.

"Mark Nuchetti, Corporal, theres Coventant behind us so we have to haul it that away-" he pointed towards what he though of a west,"-or be blown to little peices."

Mark drew another cigarette from his vest pocket and lit it with his stainless steel lighter dragged a deep breath onto it. He blew out the smoke and turned to the man supporting the injured marine.
"So do you wanna race to see who can get the best radio reception?"

//Mr. Prez we can alternate control if you like, but i'm just givin a suggestion of where we can go, if you can find another way then go right ahead. I dont have a weapon since we ran away from the lifepod so if you have one then good.//

[Deleted]

Captain Major Rictus

I step out from the Grav lift of the Phantom, Sniffing the air around the Human survival pod. Apparently they have already cleared off, and the scent says the same. I grunt with frustration, impatience has nearly overcome me already, and I have been looking to rip apart these humans. The rest of my pack return, and they report no signs of living humans, except that they trudged southwards through the white abyss.

"Get on the Phantom, we will move southward and search for any more of the human survival pods, and we will desecrate their bodies!" I recieve eager grins from the Brutes, and we all proceed back onto the ship.

Corporal Palinckx

"Ah, Shit," I look South in the direction of the Crimson Morning, "Gonna have to go all the way around, eh? Oh and not much use, I already got contact with the birds in the air, and there isn't any support coming soon."

I realize the Sergeant doesn't have a weapon, and toss the injured marines Assualt Rifle into the hands of the sergeant, and think of the best way out of our predicament. The west would be the safest route, but also the longest. Trying to climb the next cliff to the south would be extremely dangerous, but we would be able to move into the Crimson Morning first.

"I can't say, your call Sergeant-would you be willing to bum me a ciggarette?" I ask.

//BLAM, there is your weapon sonny. You are the sergeant here, and ODST or not, you have teh higher rank, so let it be YOUR call. Sonny//

[walancer]

There was no response to Baird's call out over the coms.

"All right lets get on over to the crash site, its about half a klick that way" He pointed out a hill that was blocking any sight of their crashed ship.

They collected what gear they needed from the escape pod. The marines all had their rifles and only two of the navy enlisted had side arms. The pilot was still having problems with his neck but it was a low priority.

"Lets get moving, I'll take point" Baird led the single file column to the crash site.

The snow started getting deeper as they got nearer to the ship. It was up to their knees by the time they were half way. One of the navy enlisted was already getting tired, it was obvious he was not physically fit and had not eaten properly before they had to evac the ship. He had the group press on anyway. They could all finally see the bridge of the ship.

// You can kill the unfit guy with the sniper.

[lurker]

Corporal Sigmundr slowly awoke from his sleep. Bloody fun landing. Making sure all of his limbs were working correctly the Marine gathered his weapons and move out of the escape pod. In the light the ODST could see some blood smeered over his chest. It wasn't his but I did explain why he was left at the crash site.

Some voices crept over Einarr's radio, which did it's best to clear out the static. Lurking on the radio waves it sounded like the a group of marines were assembling on the crashed ship, due south of the Corporal's current position. Ready to work Einarr pulled back on the bolt of his Anti-Material rifle and chambered a round. To the south there was a ridge he could pick off the enemy from, but the line of fire would be awkward. To the east there was a ridge what would work...

As Sigmundr looked at the path to the ridge around the probably freezing river he noticed a strange structure built into the earth. Going prone at the edge of the crash site crater the sniper viewed the structure for a minute. Certain that there was no ambush set up on or around the structure the Corporal stood up and began his trek to the mysterious place. The cloth strips on the scout sniper's back held some of the snow from the ground on them giving the man at least a little visual obscurity.

"This is Ser...ant Pink to any UNS... forces in the area, over." Sergeant Pink, Sigmundr remembered that name, he would report in to him once he is a sniping position, and after checking out the structure, no use reporting in any earlier.

[elando]

Brute Captain Magnus

Magnus prowled the passage ways of the structure he and his squad were calling home. They had been sent to guard it with another squad of Brutes, but Magnus hated it. He relished in the hunt and longed to be out with his brothers, hunting down the Human scum.

He exited the structure and strode out onto the wall which overlooked the valley that was beneath them. There was a snort behind him as Brutus stood beside him. "This is no job for us." He growled, the frustration apparent in his voice. "The Hierarchs are fools, we should be finding the Humans, not defending this meaningless structure." Replied Magnus. "Easy Magnus. They may be fools but their eyes and ears are always open to the acts of heresy. We must be cautious." Brutus said. He was quite intelligent for a Brute and showed a particular skill for reason that others of his kind seemed to lack.

"So it would seem..." Magnus said, looking over his shoulder at the other Brute pack who were currently eating the remains of an indigenous creature they had found. It was a strange being, much like a Jigara, or Kangaroo as the Humans called it, but with grey fur and horns on either side of its head. No matter, it was not the same as hunting Humans. You could toy with a Human, make it squirm and relish in its suffering. Animals were not as entertaining...

"I shall go check on our Kig-yar friends." Magnus said, turning to leave. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, sniffing heavily at the air. "What is it?" Asked Brutus, turning quickly to face Magnus. "What do you smell?" Magnus turned to him and with a hint of excitement in his voice he uttered "Man flesh." "Then they are near?" Replied Brutus. "Close by." He said, sniffing at the air again. "To the east." From the corner of the structure one of the Brute minors had risen from his meal and approach Magnus. "What are you doing?" It asked, a hint of weariness in its voice. "Going hunting." Replied Magnus. "Stay here and guard the structure. If a Human should lay a foot in here, I shall kill you myself." Magnus growled.

Magnus quickly assembled his squad, who were all eager for the chance to spill some blood. "The Humans are to the east. We can wait no long, we must hunt them down and kill them before they gain a foothold." Magnus said to the squad. With a hearty roar of approval from the rest of the Brutes and only a minor show of enthusiasm from the Jackels, they set off on foot into the snow towards the east.

[rico]

"Lieutenant Rodriguez this is Private Reilly, message over."

I halt the squad and move over to Sergeant Pink and "borrow" his radio. "This is Rodriguez, send over."

"We have sight of the Crimson Morning, she looks pretty beat up. We have also sighted several Shadows and were positive we heard a boom from somewhere inside the ship, over."

"Bastards must be blowing up the supplies. Can you see if there are any marines in the immediate area?" I ask.

"Negative, sir. If there here there obviously hiding.

"Roger that. We'll be with you in a few minutes. Rodriguez out."

I hand Pink his radio back and quickly get to work formulating a plan.

"Sergeant Pink. Get in contact with Sergeant Hallam, tell him to drop a way point and we'll go to him. Te get in contact with the scouts and tell them to head there as well." I order

"Yes, sir."

After a quick chat a way point appears in all of our HUDs and we soon find ourselves approaching the marker. As we round the bend of the hill a a group of nine Marines and ODSTs appear. They all turn to face us and start moving to wards us.

At least theres more of us i think to myself.

[wtiger]

"I can't say, your call Sergeant-would you be willing to bum me a ciggarette?" the marine asked.

Mark grinned, producing another cigarette from his pocket,
"your going to have to owe me one if we get through this,-"

With one hand he took out his lighter and lit it, handing it filter first to the marine,
"-and I'm a Corporal, whats yours?"

the marine took a drag of the cigarette
"Johnathon Lance Palinckx, Corporal"

"Well Johnathon, that marine wont be climbing trees for a while, or cliffs come to think of it. We need to get in touch with any more survivors as soon as we can so going west will be our best bet."
Mark turned towards his group, "Grey, Tony you go carry the injured marine, ive seen you haul rockets like babies so he wont be difficult. Metterick, you take back with the ODST and make sure we dont get it handed to us from behind. John, -"

He pulled in another deep breath, the cigarette shortening a few milimeters , "- my cigarettes have a high interest rate so we'll take point, that way you can pay me back as soon as we get back to the ship. If any of us get a clear signal dont hesitate to radio back, were scattered like flies on wallpaper."

Mark took another puff on his cigarette, and checked his Assault rifle, the LED displayed 30. He looked at his group and yelled,
"Com'on lets move!"

[elando]

"Well you took your bloody time." I said as Sergeant Pink and the rest of his troop approached the little ditch we were hiding in. "Sorry, this fucking military hardware is a load of bollocks though. Didn't help the situation." Replied Sergeant Pink. "Yeah but its all we've got. Anyway we've got bigger fish to fry." I said, pointing over to the Crimson Morning.

"Saw some Covenant heading inside and there was an explosion a few minutes ago." I said. "Now I know you don't want to hear this, but we are going to have to assault our own ship. On the plus side, we have more knowledge of the ship than the Covenant does. They'll be flying almost blind on this. Although, I have no doubt that they've already mapped most of the ship and set up defenses. I saw snipers moving inside so they're no doubt posted around the ship."

"This'll be close quarters once we get inside and we've all done the training missions. We know how hard it is for boarders to take over the ship, but this is our only shot at survival. It's either this, or freeze our asses off out here." I said. Everyone looked warily at the man next to them. This wasn't an easy task. "Use cover as you go, theres plenty around from the crash. Keep low and stay alert, if you see a sniper, get your ass to cover and try and get him before he gets you. If you can't get a shot off, point out his position and someone else will try for you."

"Sir do you really think 12 men can assault a ship full of Covenant?" Replied Jackson. "Well bloody hell, we'll try." I replied. I turned to the Lieutenant. "Sir, I advise you take Pink's fireteam and Private Jackson here and head round the right flank. I'll use the left with Corporal Styles' team and Dimitri. The pincer move should allow us to spread out enough that the snipers will have a hard time hitting us." I said. It wasn't really my place to order around someone as high as a 2nd Lieutenant, but really it was more advising than ordering.

"Unless of course, you have a better plan, Sir." I said, questioningly.

[SurvivorX]

I crouch in the ship's bridge. We've set up deployable shield-covers at the door, and Lizleem is setting up a plasma cannon. We've got a pair of supply case full of extra Needlers, Plasma Rifles and Plasma Pistols, so we won't need for ammunition.

I crouch by the shattered bridge window. These damn windows again. Such a poor design choice. Why would they do that? It doesn't matter.

I can see a group of about a dozen or so of them moving around out there. I mark their position for 'Loramee's snipers. Then I look around the battlefield. This should be a piece of cake to defend - there's really not much of an offensive lane here. Unless the Humans can get ahold of some vehicles, which they can't, there's not much they can do.

I see several beams of light shoot out as 'Loramee's snipers set to work.

[maxii1]

Private Reilly and Davidson had scouted ahead with caution, Reilly kept looking down his scope as Davidson kept an eye on their surrondings, as they waited for the other marines to reach them they chatted .
"So a Rifleman?" Smirked Davidson.
"Yeah" sighed Reilly, he knew the stick that he would recieve for his position.
"Four S's Right?" Davidson had inquired.
"No Three, Skirmishers, Sharp Shooters and Scouts"
"No the Fourth, Shit!" Exclaimed Davidson
In a less dangerous environment Reilly would have pursuited this arguement, instead he weakly laughed.
A second Explosion occured, a grumbling came from the Crimson Morning.
"Bloody Hell!" Davidson offered his opinion.

Reilly utilised his binoculars and saw through the window a small pink light, he mouthed the words Sniper!

The other soldiers had already joined the Rifleman's position, "Sorry to break up the tactical meeting, but we have contacts!" Reilly started then adding "Sniper in the lower bowels of the ship, at one of the windows"
Reilly then added "There ain't much chance of me hitting him at this range with a Battle Rifle, You want me to try?"
Reilly knew that the Sniper may have yet to see such a small force approching the ship.

"Whats the use of a sharpshooter without being accurate?" chuckled Davidson.
"I am, Just not at this range" snarled Reilly.
He opened his pack and pulled out a battered old rifle scope. He unscrewed his current scope and placed it in the pack, then he fitted the old one. He blew on the scope and cleansed it with a wipe. "I'm ready to take a shot if you want sir"

OOC// Liking the WINDOWS! Good chance to repel into the ship or charge into it with a vehicle.
Also can a marine drive a shadow? If we need vehicles then that could be a choice or go for a quick stop off at the vehicle depot.

[rico]

"Unless of course, you have a better plan, Sir." Hallam asks, questioningly.

"No. Sounds like a solid plan. We better get started then. Keep in constant contact and if by any chance you find any armories, make sure there secure before moving on. I don't want any hairy apes or split-lips getting there grubby mitts on any of our weapons."

"Yes, sir." He replies.

"Ohh and Sergeant, while am at it congratulations."

He tilts his head to the side quizzically. "Sir?"

"Your now Red-One and if you want it my 2IC."

"Sir, yes sir. Thank you sir." He replies snapping off a crisp salute.

"Good, now lets move it Marines."

"Sir, yes sir." They chorus.

Suddenly a flash envelopes my vision and the skin on the back of my neck pricks as a high velocity beam of plasma whizzes past my helmet.

"SNIPER!" Hallam shouts out. I immediately hit the deck and blink trying to get the stars out of my eyes. That was too close i think to myself. "Did anyone see where that came from?" I ask out.

"Sniper in the lower bowels of the ship, at one of the windows." Private Reilly shouts out.

"Davidson distraction. Reilly, pinpoint then snipe the bastard. Lets show these assholes, this is how we roll."

"Alright, Sir. Lets see if these bastards can keep up!"

I chuckle to myself and watch as he sprints off with his steroid enhanced speed. A plasma beam narrowly misses him and Reilly quickly pinpoints and snipes the bastard.

"Tango down." He says smugly.

"Keep an eye out, theres bound to be more."

Sure enough several more beams pass by Davidson as he rolls, sprints and laughs at their pathetic attempts to hit him. Three more Jackals fall prey to Reilly's sniping and he quickly slams in a fresh clip.

"Well done Private. Keep at it." I say turning my head to wards Hallam.

"Start moving your squad round Sergeant. On my signal we charge for the ship."

"Yes, sir. There not going to know whats hit them once I'm through with them sir."

"Good, lets go give our "friends" a warm welcome." I say cocking my rifle.

[darknight101]

Wilson's squad continued to jog towards the ship, over time the ice had gotten softer, so none of them were tripping. They had just arrived at the hardest part, that damn ravine!

Snowden had fallen to a sniper round, so they had to ditch the radio equipment.

"Sarge, is that a bridge over there?" the Sniper, Greene, pointed to where he was looking.

Wilson looked and saw a white beam connecting the two sides of the ravine. It wasn't too far away, and after crossing that they wouldn't have anymore barriers between them and the ship. They ran over there and crossed.

"So now that we have a straight shot at the ship, what plan do we have to take it? It's not like they'll just let us take it back from them, without planting a small nuclear device in it first." Greene asked.

"Yeah, well we'll either hook up with others or make some excellent cannon fodder."

[elando]

"Lets go give our friends a warm welcome." The Lieutenant said. "Pink, you're with me, you too Jackson!" He shouted and hoped over the top of the ditch, running round the right flank towards the ship. Sergeant Pink turned to me and shrugged. "The guys got balls, you can't deny that..." He said and followed the Lieutenant over the ditch and round the flank, followed by Jackson, Bloomfield and Therlow.

I turned to Reilly. "Private, keep up the fire. Dimitri will stay with you to be your spotter. Follow us whenever you're ready." I said. "Dimitri, Private Reilly here is in charge." "Understood." Dimitri replied. "Right, lets get to it. Get on my ass and stay there." I said to Styles and his team and with that, I hoped over the ditch and round to the left flank.

In the distance I could see Davidson was closing in on the entrance to the ship while Rodriguez and Pink were weaving their way round the right flank, using cover wherever they could. From behind came the crack of Reillys sniper rifle, but it wasn't enough to keep the relentless fire off us. "Oh this is freakin' bullshit." I whispered, rushing along in a crouched run, ducking for cover then running for the next one trying to put as little time between cover as possible.

"Who's bloody idea was it to run at a 100 meter high ship full of snipers anyway?!"