Location: New Damascus, Research Facility Entrance
Date: July 5, 2531
Time: 0730 Hours
The doors to the research facility loomed ahead, their reinforced steel frames a stark reminder of how important this place was. Whatever the UNSC was working on here, it was enough to warrant a full-scale Covenant assault. But we were here to make sure they didn't get it.
Allen led the way, his rifle raised and his eyes sharp as we moved inside. The facility's interior was dimly lit, the overhead lights flickering as we passed through the main hallway. The hum of the facility's generators was the only sound, a low, constant buzz that made the silence even more unsettling.
"We've got to move fast," Allen said, his voice low but clear over the comms. "The Covenant knows we're here, and they're not going to stop until they take this place. Our objective is the central lab. We secure it, then we hold until reinforcements arrive."
"Any idea what we're protecting?" Slink asked, her eyes scanning the walls as we advanced. "Feels like we're guarding the Ark of the Covenant or something."
Allen gave a faint smile. "Classified. But whatever it is, we can't let the Covenant get their hands on it. That's all you need to know."
Fumble snorted from behind us. "Oh, great. Love a good mystery."
The tension in the air was thick as we moved deeper into the facility, each step bringing us closer to the central lab. I could feel the weight of the mission pressing down on me, the knowledge that we were walking into something bigger than any of us. But Allen kept us focused, his calm, steady leadership a constant presence, even in the middle of a warzone.
Location: New Damascus, Research Facility - Outer Corridors
Date: July 5, 2531
Time: 0745 Hours
As we moved through the narrow corridors, the sense of unease grew. The facility was too quiet, too empty. We knew the Covenant had been here—they had fought their way into the perimeter—but inside, it was like a ghost town. No bodies, no signs of struggle. Just silence.
Something wasn't right.
"Keep your eyes open," Allen warned, his voice tense. "This place feels off."
We pressed on, the walls closing in around us as we navigated the twisting corridors. I kept my rifle up, scanning every shadow, every flicker of movement. The sound of our footsteps echoed through the halls, but there was something else beneath it—a faint, almost imperceptible noise. Like the hum of active camouflage.
But I couldn't place it. Not yet.
"I don't like this," Doc muttered, her grip tight on her sidearm. "Feels like we're walking into a trap."
Before anyone could respond, the lights flickered again, casting long shadows across the hallway. For a brief moment, I thought I saw something—just a shimmer, a distortion in the air. But when I blinked, it was gone.
I frowned, shaking off the feeling. It was probably just my nerves. We had been on edge since the drop, and my mind was playing tricks on me.
Still, I couldn't shake the sense that something was watching us.
Location: New Damascus, Research Facility - Near Central Lab
Date: July 5, 2531
Time: 0800 Hours
We reached the outer doors of the central lab, their thick metal frames standing like sentinels at the end of the corridor. The tension in the air was palpable now, every one of us on high alert. The Covenant hadn't made a move yet, but that only made it worse. It felt like the calm before the storm.
Allen motioned for us to stack up by the door. "Ramirez, you and Slink take point. We're breaching in three."
Fumble gave a nod, his SPNKR at the ready as he moved to the front of the line. Slink followed close behind, her MA5C raised and her eyes sharp.
I fell in behind them, my heart pounding in my chest. Something felt wrong. The facility was too quiet, too still. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were walking into an ambush.
But Allen was calm, his voice steady as he gave the order. "On my mark… Three. Two. One. Breach!"
The doors slid open, and we surged into the lab.
Chapter 17
Location: New Damascus, Research Facility - Central Lab
Date: July 5, 2531
Time: 0805 Hours
The central lab was massive, its walls lined with computer terminals and holographic displays. In the center of the room stood a large, reinforced container—whatever was inside, it was the reason we were here. The facility's heart.
But something was off.
The room was empty. No Covenant. No UNSC personnel. Just us.
"Clear," Allen called, his voice tense as he scanned the area.
We spread out, taking positions around the room as Allen moved toward the container in the center. His eyes narrowed as he approached it, his rifle still raised.
"I don't like this," Slink muttered, her eyes flicking to the shadows at the edges of the room. "Feels like a setup."
I felt it too. The air was thick with tension, like something was about to go wrong.
Allen reached the container, his hand hovering over the control panel. "Let's see what we're dealing with."
But before he could touch it, the lights flickered again—this time, longer. And in that brief moment of darkness, I saw it.
A shimmer. A distortion in the air, moving toward Allen.
"Allen, behind you!" I shouted, my voice raw with panic.
He turned, but it was too late.
Out of the shadows, the shimmer solidified into the shape of an Elite—its active camouflage dropping as it lunged toward Allen, an energy sword igniting in its hand. The blade crackled with deadly energy, and in the blink of an eye, it plunged into Allen's back.
"No!" I screamed, my rifle snapping up as I fired wildly at the Elite.
The shots hit its shields, sparking against the glowing barrier, but the damage was done. Allen staggered, his body convulsing as the energy sword cut through him. His rifle slipped from his hands, clattering to the floor.
Ramirez and Slink were already firing, their weapons lighting up the room as they tried to bring the Elite down. But the alien moved with terrifying speed, its sword flashing through the air as it turned to face us.
"Get Allen out of here!" Slink shouted, her voice tight with panic.
I dropped to my knees beside Allen, my hands shaking as I tried to pull him away from the fight. His eyes were wide with shock, his breathing shallow.
"Stay with me, Allen," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Just stay with me."
But even as I said it, I knew. The wound was too deep.
The Elite roared, its sword swinging again as it closed in on us. I raised my rifle, but before I could fire, Fumble stepped in front of me, his SPNKR raised.
"Get Allen out of here!" he yelled, his voice filled with rage.
I didn't argue. I grabbed Allen's arm, pulling him away as Fumble fired. The rocket streaked toward the Elite, exploding on impact and sending the alien flying across the room.
But the damage had already been done.
Location: New Damascus, Research Facility - Central Lab
Date: July 5, 2531
Time: 0815 Hours
We pulled Allen behind cover, my hands shaking as I checked the wound. The energy sword had cut deep, and I could see the burn marks where it had pierced his armor. Doc was already there, her medkit open as she worked frantically to stabilize him.
"Come on, Allen," I muttered, my voice tight with panic. "Don't do this."
His breathing was shallow, his eyes half-closed. I could see the pain etched on his face, but he was slipping away.
Fumble knelt beside me, his face grim. "We've gotta get him out of here."
But I could see it in Doc's eyes. She was doing everything she could, but the wound was too severe.
Allen's hand twitched, and I grabbed it, holding on tight.
"Stay with us," I whispered, my heart breaking as I watched the light fade from his eyes.