Chapter 25

Location: Covenant Supply Hub - Outer Perimeter

Date: January 16, 2533

Time: 0500 Hours

The moment my boots hit the ground, the reality of the mission slammed into me like a freight train. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint ozone smell of Covenant plasma weaponry. Around us, the dark terrain stretched out in every direction, interrupted only by the looming silhouettes of Covenant structures in the distance. The supply hub was dead ahead, nestled into a valley surrounded by rocky outcroppings—perfect cover for an ODST insertion.

Alice hit the ground beside me, rolling into a crouch as she signaled for her fireteam to form up. Alpha and Bravo fireteams moved in sync, fanning out into a loose perimeter as we took stock of the situation.

"Check your sectors," I whispered into the comms, my voice low but steady. "No noise until we're in position."

The rookies nodded, their movements precise but tense. It was always like this in the minutes before contact—everyone on edge, nerves running high, but focused. We'd been training for this for months, but nothing could fully prepare them for the real thing.

I glanced at Alice, who was already scanning the terrain with the scope on her MA5C. "Got eyes on the target?"

She nodded, her voice coming through the comms. "Affirmative. Covenant patrols are light, but they've got a couple of shades and stationary turrets covering the main approach. We'll have to go around, take the higher ground."

I followed her gaze, spotting the faint blue glow of Covenant energy shields guarding the main entrance. Even from this distance, I could see the silhouettes of Grunts and Jackals patrolling the perimeter, their weapons glowing faintly in the darkness.

"We take out those turrets first," I said, my voice steady as I adjusted my rifle. "Then we move in on the supply depots. Bravo, you're with me. Alpha, you take the left flank, clear the way to the secondary entrance."

Alice gave me a nod, her expression sharp with focus. "Got it. Stay frosty, Cass."

"Same to you," I replied.

Location: Covenant Supply Hub - High Ground Overwatch

Date: January 16, 2533

Time: 0515 Hours

The approach to the high ground was slow and methodical, every step calculated to avoid detection. The Covenant might've had the numbers and the firepower, but we had the element of surprise—and we were damn good at using it.

Sam was moving just behind me, her footsteps light as she kept pace with the rest of Bravo Fireteam. She had been quiet since the drop, but I could feel her presence, the familiar sense of calm she brought with her. She'd always been the steady hand that kept us grounded, and today was no different.

We reached the edge of the high ground, crouching behind a line of jagged rocks that overlooked the Covenant supply hub. Below us, the alien structures pulsed with the eerie blue light of their energy shields. Grunts and Jackals moved in patrols, oblivious to the threat looming above them.

Alice's voice crackled through the comms. "In position. Ready to take out the first turret."

I raised my hand, signaling Bravo Fireteam to hold position. My eyes scanned the terrain below, marking the locations of the two stationary turrets and the patrolling Covenant forces.

"On my mark," I said, my voice low but firm. "Three… two… one. Mark."

The crack of gunfire split the night as Alice took the first shot, her rounds punching through the shield generator of the nearest turret. The explosion lit up the darkness, throwing the Covenant forces into chaos as they scrambled to figure out where the attack had come from.

"Go!" I shouted, leading Bravo Fireteam over the edge of the rocks as we charged toward the second turret. Plasma fire erupted from the patrols below, but we moved fast, keeping low as we advanced on the Covenant position.

Silva was the first to engage, his rifle spitting fire as he took down a pair of Grunts who were trying to bring their plasma pistols to bear. Barnes followed, her shots precise as she picked off a Jackal that had raised its shield in defense.

I focused on the turret, my heart pounding as I sprinted toward it. The Elite manning the controls was already turning toward us, its plasma rifle glowing with deadly intent. But I was faster. I dropped to one knee, raised my rifle, and fired.

The Elite's shields flared, but the rounds found their mark, punching through its armor. The alien let out a guttural roar as it collapsed to the ground, its plasma rifle slipping from its grasp.

"Turret down!" I called into the comms, my breath coming in sharp bursts as I took cover behind the wreckage.

"Copy that," Alice replied, her voice steady. "Alpha is moving to the secondary entrance now. Keep them off us, Cass."

Location: Covenant Supply Hub - Outer Perimeter

Date: January 16, 2533

Time: 0530 Hours

The Covenant forces were scrambling now, their patrols disoriented by the sudden attack. Plasma fire lit up the sky as they tried to regroup, but we weren't giving them the chance. We moved quickly, keeping the pressure on, taking down any alien that got in our way.

Sam was right behind me, her sidearm drawn as she fired off a few shots at a group of Grunts who had managed to regroup. Her movements were fluid, practiced, like she had done this a thousand times before. But there was something different today—something in the way she moved, the way she stayed close to me, always ready to back me up.

"Stay close," I muttered, glancing at her as we pushed forward. "We're almost at the depot."

She nodded, her expression focused, but I caught the faint flicker of a smile on her lips. "I've got your back, Cass."

We reached the supply depot moments later, its towering structure casting long shadows over the battlefield. The Covenant was still reeling from the attack, but they were starting to regroup. We needed to move fast.

"Bravo, set the charges!" I ordered, my voice sharp as I waved Silva and Barnes toward the depot's supports. "We don't have much time."

The rookies moved quickly, planting the explosives at the base of the structure while the rest of us kept the Covenant forces at bay. Plasma fire streaked past us, the heat of the shots sizzling in the air, but we held our ground.

"Charges set!" Silva called out, his voice tense with anticipation.

I glanced at Alice's position on the left flank. "Alpha, status?"

"We're in," she replied, her voice crackling over the comms. "Secondary entrance is secure. Ready to blow the charges on your mark."

I took a deep breath, my finger hovering over the detonator. "Do it."

The explosion rocked the battlefield, the ground shaking beneath our feet as the supply depot crumbled in a cloud of smoke and fire. Covenant forces scattered, their defensive line breaking as they tried to regroup.

"Objective complete," I said into the comms, my voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through my veins. "Fall back to the extraction point."

Location: Covenant Supply Hub - Extraction Point

Date: January 16, 2533

Time: 0545 Hours

We moved quickly, sprinting across the battlefield toward the extraction point. The Pelican was already inbound, its engines roaring as it descended through the smoky sky. The Covenant forces were still in disarray, but we knew better than to let our guard down.

As we reached the extraction point, Alice jogged up beside me, her helmet tucked under her arm, a smirk on her face. "Nice work, Cass. Not bad for a simple strike-and-disrupt."

I gave her a grin, my chest heaving with the effort of the fight. "Takes a team, right?"

She chuckled, shaking her head as we boarded the Pelican. "Always."

I turned to Sam, who was checking her medkit one last time as we took our seats. She caught my eye, that familiar look passing between us again—quiet, unspoken, but always there.

"We made it," I said softly, my voice barely audible over the roar of the engines.

She smiled, her hand brushing against mine for just a second. "Yeah, we did."