Dangercrossing

Location: Arcadia, Pirth City, Extraction Point

Space System: Procyon System

Date: March 3, 2531

Time: 0800 Hours

The wreckage of the Pelican smoldered in the background, the acrid stench of burning metal thick in the air. The civilians were huddled behind what was left of the Pelican's troop bay, their faces pale with fear, the kid still clutching his mother's leg. We'd done our best to protect them, but the situation was unraveling fast.

"We're not getting another bird anytime soon," Allen said through the comms, his voice tense but controlled. "Command is tied up. We need to find cover, dig in somewhere safer."

Ramirez reloaded his SPNKR, his face grim as he scanned the sky for any more incoming Banshees. "What about those Spartans? They cut through those Covenant like butter. Maybe they could clear us a path."

"They're busy saving other units," Allen replied, his voice tight. "We're on our own for now. Let's move."

I swallowed hard, still feeling the weight of what had happened. Our extraction was gone, and the Covenant was regrouping somewhere out there. It felt like we were sitting in the middle of a collapsing building, just waiting for it to fall.

"Casper," Allen called out, "stay with Slink at the rear. Keep your eyes peeled."

I gave a quick nod. "Roger that, sir."

Location: Arcadia, Pirth City, On the Move

Date: March 3, 2531

Time: 0815 Hours

We moved cautiously, cutting through the rubble and broken streets of Pirth City, the distant echoes of Covenant forces closing in on us. Slink and I took the rear, keeping an eye out for anything that moved.

The civilians moved between us, with Allen up front leading the way, while Ramirez stayed close to Doc, keeping his SPNKR ready in case we ran into more heavy Covenant armor. The tension in the air was palpable, every footstep feeling like it could be our last.

I glanced at Slink. She was quiet, her face unreadable as usual, but I could see the sharp focus in her eyes as she scanned the surroundings. I wondered if she still thought I was a liability, or if I'd managed to prove myself after everything we'd been through.

"Stay close, Greenhorn," she muttered, not looking at me. "This ain't over yet."

"I'm not going anywhere," I replied, keeping my M392 at the ready.

We moved in silence for another few minutes, weaving through debris and the hollowed-out shells of buildings. I could feel the weight of the mission pressing down on me—the civilians depending on us, the constant threat of the Covenant closing in.

Then, out of nowhere, a sharp sound—a hiss, almost like steam escaping from a valve. My body tensed instinctively, recognizing the sound from my training.

"Sniper!" I shouted, shoving Slink to the side just as the unmistakable crack of a beam rifle echoed through the air.

A blue plasma bolt streaked past us, the heat from it brushing against my armor. The shot had come from above—a Jackal sniper, perched high in the remains of a crumbling tower not far from our position.

We hit the ground hard, rolling behind a chunk of rubble for cover. My heart was hammering in my chest as I glanced up, spotting the faint glimmer of the Jackal's rifle reflecting off the broken windows of the tower. He was lining up his next shot, the plasma beam charging for another kill.

Allen's voice barked through the comms. "Everyone down! We've got a sniper!"

But I was already moving. My hands worked fast, pulling my rifle up to my shoulder, eyes locked on the Jackal's position. Time seemed to slow as the Jackal adjusted, its glowing eyes narrowing as it focused on us. I could see the beam rifle charging, the deadly hum vibrating in the air.

I squeezed the trigger.

The shot rang out, my M392's recoil jolting my arms. The round hit the Jackal dead center, knocking it backward out of the window. I watched through my scope as the sniper tumbled down, disappearing from sight. The beam rifle sputtered and died before it could fire.

For a second, there was silence. My hands were still trembling from the rush, but I forced them to steady.

"You got it," Slink said quietly, her voice tinged with something like surprise. She was still crouched next to me, breathing hard from the close call.

I nodded, my throat dry. "Yeah. I saw it just in time."

She stared at me for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly, as if she was reassessing everything she'd thought about me. Then she gave me a slight nod. "Good work, Greenhorn. You just saved both our asses."

Before I could respond, Allen's voice cut in over the comms. "Casper, Slink, status?"

"We're fine," I replied, glancing at her. "Sniper's down."

"Good. Stay sharp, there could be more."

Location: Arcadia, Pirth City, Moving to Secondary Cover

Date: March 3, 2531

Time: 0830 Hours

We regrouped quickly, moving with even more caution now. The streets felt even more dangerous after that sniper shot, every shadow and broken window a potential threat. But I could feel something else now—a shift. I wasn't just the rookie anymore. I'd proved I could handle myself.

"Slink" walked beside me as we moved, her usual cold distance softened just a bit. She glanced at me once or twice, but didn't say anything. Still, I could tell she was thinking about what had just happened.

We pushed through the remains of an old market district, the civilians sticking close to Allen and Ramirez as we searched for a safer place to hunker down. The Covenant was still out there, but we hadn't heard anything since I took down the sniper.

Finally, Allen found us a half-intact building to hold up in—a bank or office building, judging by the shattered terminals and papers scattered everywhere. It was far from perfect, but it had walls and a roof, which made it better than anything else around.

"Alright," Allen said, waving us in. "Everyone inside. We'll wait here for evac."

The civilians hurried in, the father still gripping his son's hand tightly as they took shelter in the corner. Doc stayed with them, checking their vitals one more time, while Ramirez set up by the door, keeping an eye out for any signs of movement.

I slumped down against the wall, my rifle resting across my knees. My body was still buzzing from the adrenaline, but my mind was beginning to settle. I'd saved Slink—and myself—from that sniper. For the first time since the mission started, I felt like I was really part of the squad.

"Hey," Slink said quietly, sitting down next to me. She still had her MA5C resting against her leg, her eyes scanning the room as if she couldn't relax, even for a second. "Good work out there. Really. I didn't think you had it in you."

I glanced at her, surprised. Coming from Slink, that was the closest thing to praise I'd probably ever get. "Thanks."

She shrugged, a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth. "Maybe you ain't as green as I thought."

Before I could say anything else, Allen's voice came through the comms again. "Pelican inbound. ETA, five minutes."

Location: Arcadia, Pirth City, Temporary Cover

Date: March 3, 2531

Time: 0840 Hours

Relief washed over me. The evac was finally coming. All we had to do was hold out for five more minutes.

But we all knew those minutes would feel like an eternity.

Ramirez glanced back at Allen, a grim smile on his face. "I'll believe it when I see it."

"Keep sharp," Allen replied. "We're not out of the woods yet."

The minutes ticked by slowly, every second feeling like it stretched out forever. The civilians were quiet now, huddled together in the corner of the room. The kid had finally stopped crying, though he still looked terrified. I couldn't blame him. We all were.

Then, just as we thought we were in the clear, the distant sound of footsteps echoed through the ruined streets.

Allen stood up, his hand going to his rifle. "We've got movement."

I pushed myself to my feet, my heart racing again as I raised my M392. The others did the same, forming a perimeter around the civilians as the footsteps grew louder. The Covenant was coming.

"Everyone stay ready," Allen ordered, his voice steady.

I glanced at Slink, who was already positioned by the broken window, her MA5C aimed down the street. She gave me a nod, her expression calm but serious.

"They're coming," she said quietly. "Let's hope that Pelican gets here before they do."