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Defending The Beaches by MT
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Defending The Beaches (Part 1)
Date: 3 March 2004, 9:41 PM
The Pelican dropship flew low over the sea. Wing gyros and motors whirled and the thrusters roared, leaving a wake of burnt ozone. Glistening off the waters, the nearby star shone upon the lone Pelican as it approached a large, oval shaped island. Inside the Pelican blue tinted cockpit was her pilot, Lieutenant Carter.
Hammering away at buttons and commanding the Pelicans smooth flight through the use of a flight stick, Carter was carrying a cargo of one M12 "Warthog" light reconnaissance vehicle that was attached to the under side of the Pelican, and eight space marines in her transport bay towards the lone island ahead.
Inside the bay were the seated eight marines. The remainder of 25th Strike Force from the Pillar of Autumn which was a mixed specialist assault unit of men from several outlying sectors of human space. Each was in his own right veterans and heroes from the numerous battles fought between human and Covenant. They all had a grudge.
The entire squad were seated in the gloom of the interior Pelican illumination despite the blazing sunlight lancing down at the Pelican. Some were staring out towards the ocean but never truly looking at it. Others looked down at the bays metallic floor or straight ahead. Unlike the greenhorns, they knew when to shut up.
Blinking out at the light beyond, Sergeant Estael gripped his rifle tighter. It has been almost two days since they landed on this ring world, and only a mere hour since Captain Keyes' rescue. The news of the heroic rescue travelled fast through communications and it was an incredible boost to morale for all the soldiers who survived the space battle above.
The story was that a SPARTAN unit saved the Captain and brought down an entire Covenant CCS cruiser (presumably a heavy class) called the Truth and Reconciliation. Estael didn't believe it. From his understanding, all SPARTAN units were killed back on the planet Reach. It would be a miracle if one were lucky (or unlucky, depending on the way you look at it) to survive on board the ship.
True or not, orders were sent out, and the camps where groups of marines rallied were thrown into frenzied action. They were to scavenge all known sites of supplies from Pelican or transport cargos and bring it back to the camps. A Pelican, loaded with ammunition and heavy weapons, was known to have crash on the island ahead and this was where the 25th Strike Force was going to look.
The Pelican soon reached the shorelines on the island. It swerved sharply and flew parallel to the water. High cliffs were several hundred feet inland but still threatened to smash the Pelican up. It finally slowed over a clear patch of beach and mechanical holding struts that held the Warthog to the Pelican released their load.
With a loud thud, the vehicle hit the sand adding another cloud of dust to the ever growing one surrounding the Pelican from its landing thrusters. As soon as the Warthog hit the beach, the Pelican moved again, hovering a few feet away, and just as high.
Estael shouted at his Corporal, "Cardoso, hurry your squad, and get your collective ass' outta here!"
Three marines closest to the edge started to jump down onto the beach. Cardoso took passenger seat whilst the other two took their respective positions.
The Corporal looked up at Estael and said, "One hour?" There was only a curt nod in response from the Sergeant.
As the Warthog speed off to the east of the island, along the shore, there was no message of luck from the remaining marines. They learnt from experience that luck had nothing to do with their survival.
The com-unit in the Sergeant's helmet sounded.
"Sir, the LZ looks clear. Permission to circle around then land," said Carter.
"Granted," came the reply.
The landing zone might look clear but it's not always the case. Circling around gave Carter one last chance to view the surrounding area before declaring it safe or hot. This procedure has become routine for Carter after she learnt it at the cost of her flight captain nine hours ago.
As the Pelican slowed at its landing zone, the rest of the marines started to pile out, combat ready. At a glance, it was clear to the marines the best position to set up a temporary camp was among the large boulders scattered between the shore and bluffs. Estael estimated that it should take none of the marine more than fifteen seconds to get up the bluff and hide among a couple of small boulder outcrops if they had to hastily set up a defensive position. Holding out among the boulders was out of the question. There were too many directions of attack available to the Covenant.
"Hopkins! Garwood!" Estael motioned for the two to come over.
Two marines ran to his position. Hopkins was a young man with a face most would call handsome if only there wasn't a plasma burn scar on the right side of his neck up to his check. Garwood, looked exactly like his name: wooden and old with a face gnarled by wind and years as much as plasma bolts and bullets. He was the oldest in the squad at the age of forty one.
"I want you two to go down the beach." Estael pointed to the opposite direction from where Cardoso was going. "For about two hundred meters and scout around. Hug the cliff face or swim the two hundred meters, I don't really care, but don't get spotted. Report back if you find anything, Covie or the downed drop ship."
They started at a jog towards the cliff face to carry out the scouting mission.
The other two marines were already at the boulders and Estael quickened his pace as the Pelican behind started moving away. They only had two hours to search the entire island, and Cardoso was doing an initial shore sweep which would take one hour. After, they would go deeper into the island and spend an hour looking for the downed Pelican and her cargo. Estael cursed silently; all of this because the beacon on the Pelican wasn't working.
As the sergeant approached the two marines, he saw Tyson Green eyeing a small high rise after the bluff. He smiled at the squads' sniper's ability to pick up good sniper positions in any area. He guessed from the angle that the sniper would have a sweeping view over the entire shore as well as an important flank of the boulders and bluff. The rise also gave Green a perfect defensive position to shoot from as it came out of the ground at an angle keeping most of a man's body behind a solid rock underside.
"I want to see what view I get from the rise Sarge," Green said to Estael as he approached.
"I think you already know Green-eyes."
The other marine chuckled and said, "Why so eager Ty? Think you won't kill enough Covies on this one?"
The sniper shrugged, "Thought we should take up some kind of defensive position since there's only three of use left. Having a sniper on your back is a lot more helpful than one on the ground dead next to you."
Estael grinned, "Got you there Soell, and I've never seen you turned down sniper support. Hell, you scream out the order for them to fire before I do!"
Both the marines laughed, and Green started off towards the bluff still smiling.
Their position was relatively safe. For now at least, thought Estael. Looking up, he saw the other side of this ring world. He was still in awe at the construct, but there was also an undertone of fear. Not of the Covenant, but of something more primal and deadly. He didn't know anything about the place he found himself and his men fighting on but he was glad that they didn't die in the harshness of space. They will go down fighting like many of their dead comrades. He sighed and signalled for Soell to take up his position.
The warm breeze of air on this alien ring world had a soothing affect on them despite their intense private emotions.
Estael and Soell, each looked at the different sides of the shore. Estael took the west side and watched two distant figures coming towards them. Both Hopkins and Garwood kept up their quick jogging pace until they were upon the boulders.
"We went out for approximately two-sixty but didn't get a whiff of Covenant, or any sight of the Pelican," said Garwood. "But we did find some inlets going deeper into the island and some modest rivers too. About one-eighty for the inlet, one-thirty for the river I'd reckon."
Estael did a calculation and decided that the inlet would be the best approach inside the island and the river would serve as the best exit allowing them to cover much of the interior of the island as possible in one hour.
"Very good, take up positions around these boulders. Green is covering or backs, but any sign of trouble, get to the bluff. Our backs might be up against the cliff leaving us not much option for a retreat, but there's some good cover there and it's a good position to fire from."
"Yes sir," replied Garwood.
Garwood started walking toward Soell, and Hopkins looked up at Green before taking his position two boulders away from Estael.
Carter tapped in and Estael reach for his head unit to acknowledge.
"Yes Carter," said Estael.
"Trouble sir," replied Carter, "I count three Covie dropships heading to your island. They've got some Banshee escorts too. I think I can lead those awa-"
"Denied Lieutenant," interrupted Estael, "we're going to need you for evac later." Estael hesitated. "Stay low and try not to get spotted, I'll radio in when we need evac."
"Yes sir." Carter's voice was toneless, which was a feature all Pelican pilots had learnt quickly: Staying cool and unemotional was the only way to survive when you have fire all around you. As your voice is a physical outer manifestation of your emotions, its best to keep it in check. However, it didn't mean that the pilots did not indulge their emotions. On the contrary, they probably had more emotion then your average marine, and Estael was aware of what Carter felt. She wanted to help however she can and maybe allow them to survive a little longer.
Already he could see the Covenant dropships in the far distance. Their distinctive U-shape design wasn't clear at this distance, but there were three larger dark specks to two smaller ones. The smaller ones were Banshees and started to accelerate and soon became more distinct. Estael tapped his com-unit.
"Cardoso, I need the 'hog over here. Three Covie drops inbound and a pair of Banshee escorts. I need Stephens and his rockets."
"Roger." There was a pause. "Going to be fifteen minutes sir."
Estael cursed under his breath. He calculated that the Covenant dropships will be on them in five minutes, and they will probably hold out for a further three or four minutes. It was very likely that the Banshees were going to take them all out much earlier.
"Try to be quicker," was all he said.
"Roger."
The five Marines were huddled among the boulders as two Banshees shot overhead. Estael knew their best chance was to hide among the boulders and then run to the bluff when the dropships arrive. Green was edgy as he was unable to see much other than the boulder in front and the cliff face behind. He wanted to be back on his high position so he could watch the dropships approach, but he knew he would get spotted and cut up by the Banshees.
The Banshees circled around and came for another pass. This time, the Marines had to rely on the shadows to keep them hidden.
The shadows failed.
The lead Banshees nosed down straight at Green. The second peeled away and head out along the beach hoping to strafe the boulders from the side. Green dived to the side as blue plasma bolts spat out from the Banshee. They burned the spot on the boulder where he was just huddled down at. He heard the rock sizzle and boil and saw the large black scorching the plasma bolts left.
Estael saw Green barely diving out of the plasma's path. He instantly raised his assault rifle and issued the order to return fire. The recoil of the assault rifle was strong, but not as strong as one would expect from such a rapid firing weapon. He led the Banshee and watched his tracers rake its underbelly. Soell braced himself against a boulder and fired in short successive bursts one after the other hitting the Banshee accurately. Hopkins and Garwood both attempted to shoot at the second Banshee that was now inbound.
Tracers pierced the sky towards the two Banshees, and Green now had the chance to see where the dropships were at. They were close now, no more than a minute away. The other marines did not have a chance if those dropships get here. He dashed towards the position he was at before, and the second Banshee turned to strafe him.
Seeing this, Hopkins shouted at Green to get down. Garwood emptied the rest of his ammunition at the Banshee hoping to distract it. A large green plasma bolt erupted from the Banshees fuel rod cannons and landed widely off from Green. The explosion was loud and bright even from Greens distance. He silently thanked Garwood and increased his running speed.
Reloading his rifle, Garwood grabbed Hopkins and pulled him onto the ground. Another large green explosion erupted from behind them as the first Banshee missed and hit their boulder which held firm against the blast.
Soell shot at the Banshee speeding pass whilst Estael fired at the second one. Another explosion and plasma bolts snaked through the boulders hitting Estael to the side of his chest. He screamed in agony as the plasma burned and melted through his armour and through his skin. It left a heavy and painful burn on his side, but did not reach any organs. However, he was bleeding heavily now and blood dripped down his arm and legs. Cursing loudly he saw Soell stop his firing, wondering whether or not to help his commanding officer.
"Keep shooting you fool or you'll get us both killed!" Estael clutched at his wound with his left hand and fired the assault rifle at the second Banshee making another run.
Suddenly a Pelican raced into view and went across the path of the lead Banshee. The two were dangerously close, almost crashing into one another. The second Banshee broke off his attack run to give chase to the now fleeing Pelican. The lead Banshee hesitated before also giving chase.
With his bloody hand, Estael tapped his com-unit wincing in pain from his now exposed wound.
"Damn you Carter," he said into the com-unit.
"Just doing my job sir," Carter said.
"Just stay alive lieutenant."
"Will do sir."
Green watched the Pelican cross the lead Banshees path and the two Banshees give chase. There was a moment of pause before the sergeant moved the squad into the bluff and motioned to Green provide covering fire. Already the first dropship hovered above the beach, one of its sides facing the cliff face, and its plasma turret swivelled around taking aim at the retreating marines. Taking out his pistol, he started firing at the Covenant dropship in hope of distracting it.
It worked.
The plasma turret rotated slightly before unleashing purple rays of energy. Green hugged the ground and thanked the slight rise that meant the plasma would not reach him. The Covenant dropship stopped firing as soon as it lowered itself a meter or so at the ground. It would only be moments before it would open itself revealing the Covenant troops within.
Green now positioned himself and his sniper rifle to cover the marines. The outer walls of the Covenant dropship open upwards as if it was a fat purple bird lifting its wings open to reveal its flabby sides. Each of the side was a hollow cylinder which housed separated individual sections where a Covenant soldier stood.
Green saw two Elites and two Jackals on his side. There was one red Elite and one blue Elite with two yellow shield Jackals. The contrast between the two couldn't be greater. The Elites were well over eight feet tall and giants to both the marines and the Jackals which were only over five feet tall. Where the Jackals seemed weak, and relying on their round energy shields which was more than capable of withstanding bullets, the Elites were monsters with all the strength they need to kill a man.
They also had the speed and accuracy that all marines feared.
Green aimed at the red Elites head and fired a single round. The armour piercing bullet went straight through the Elites energy shield and through its cranium. The Elite fell face first into the sand before he even got off the dropship. The blue Elite hit the ground running towards the boulders leaving the two Jackals who had crouched behind their shields.
Green centred his sites onto the running Elite. It had an almost catlike grace and was damned fast. He fired another shot hitting the blue Elite fully on the chest. The round did not penetrate the shield but it did stop the Elite who felt the force of the sniper round and his shield dissipating from it. Still with his sight on the Elites chest, Green fired the second fatal shot. The Elite clutched its chest and fell backwards. He died before he hit the ground.
Defending The Beaches (Part 2)
Date: 3 March 2004, 9:46 PM
Soell heard the sniper shots and felt his spirits lift after each one. He helped Estael up the bluff. They were almost there. He constantly prayed that plasma bolt would not find him and smash into his back.
Soell saw Hopkins and Garwood reach the top rise only to find a second one. They were about to go up this one when they heard the sergeant's orders for them to take up positions here. Laying down Garwood aimed at the two Jackals and fired. Hopkins kneeled on one knee and fired at the short, stubby and funny looking Grunts that appeared around the Covenant dropship.
Estael and Soell reach the top just before the Covenant dropship lifted off quickly and fired several shots from its turrets before speeding away. Already the second and third dropships were starting to land beside the spot where the first was.
One more shot rang out from the rise to Soell's right as Green killed a Grunt. There was a pause as Green reloaded his rifle, and then two more shots quickly followed one after the other. A Jackal lay dead beside his partner whose shield protected him from the first shot. A third shot rang and the surviving Jackal was blown back by the force of the bullet before dying. Estael shouted at Soell to fire his rifle, and then pointed at the new wave of Covenant troops which came from the two dropships.
Soell watched as four Elites raced towards the boulders, firing as they ran. He saw a group of five Jackals in a line with their shields in front. A larger group of ten Grunts were close behind, using the Jackals' shields as cover. They were advancing and Garwood's shots could not penetrate.
Soell suddenly realised they were going to die.
Hopkins fired at the rushing Elites. He saw a Gold which was already at the boulders. Most of his shots did not penetrate the Elites' shielding, but it did make one red Elites hesitate. Green saw this moment of hesitation and fired into the Elite's thigh. The Elite roared, more in anger than in pain, and back peddled to the group of Jackals and Grunts.
Green's second shot missed it mark. The entire squad concentrated on the two remaining Blue Elites which were mere moments away from reaching the boulders. One had its shield taking out by one of Green's round. Hopkins and Estael did not hesitate to kill it. The other Elite reached the boulders barely dodging a sniper shot that ricochet off the rocks.
Hopkins paused to reload his assault rifle and saw Green taking out a Grunt which strayed too far out of the line of Jackals defensive formation. The red Elite with the Grunts and Jackals commanded them to fire at high rise where Green was. Estael and the men attempted to take out the group as they turned slightly to face Green. The gold and blue Elite jumped out to shoot at the bluff. The men ducked as dozens of blue plasma bolts kissed the ridge of the bluff. Dirt and sand spat upwards and fell back down onto their helmets.
Hopkins cursed under his breath.
A swarm of green plasma bolts struck the high rise solid beneath. Already the rock was melting away from the quantity of shots and Green felt it starting to shear off. Before he could roll out, the rock crumbled beneath him sending the high rise crashing down with him on it. It was a fifteen foot drop, and each foot was filled with plasma fire. Green's body was blasted apart bit by bit as both green and blue plasma bolts hit home.
Green died before he could have felt the ground.
Estael heard the roar of celebration and felt a moment of anguish that passed as quickly as it came. It was not time to lose your head; he still had the rest of his squad to command. He risked a look over the bluff and saw the Jackals and Grunts start moving towards the bluff.
"Hopkins, cover the boulders. Short bursts." Estael saw Hopkins nod. "Soell, I want a frag' behind the Jackal line. Garwood, give me suppressive fire on the Grunts."
"Yes sir," the three marines replied in unison.
Estael watched Soell prepare the fragmentation grenade which he hoped would take out most of the group of Covenants. When he was ready Estael shouted "Now!"
Estael ignored the pain in his chest as he placed his assault rifle over the ridge and aimed at the red Elite commanding the Covenant group. The men fired in unison and Soell threw the grenade. Soell quickly held his gun up and started firing keeping one eye of the grenade in the air. It landed to the left of the line and exploded. It instantly killed a handful of Grunts and two of the Jackals, blasting the Elite and the rest of the Covenant down onto the ground.
Estael did not hesitate to fire at the fallen Elite; its shield was severely damaged by the blast. Garwood also concentrated on the Elite. It was ripped to shreds by the armour piercing rounds. Another Grunt died before the Jackals were able to bring their shield back up.
There was a shout from Hopkins for the men to duck. Blue plasma bolts slashed through the air forcing Estael to duck. Garwood was too slow and a plasma bolt hitting into the side of his helmet, shattering it. Estael saw bits of cranium and blood fly through the air. There was a bloody mess in the place of Garwood's helmet side, and blood dripped down his face.
Estael glanced at the rest of the men. Soell was fine, but Hopkins right arm was bleeding heavily. Evidence of plasma scorching was apparent on his armour. He wouldn't be able to fire the assault rifle with his left arm. In both men's eyes there was fear.
Their ammunition was dangerously low. Barely enough to take out a Gold Elite let alone the rest of the Covenant. Soell heard a roar from one of the Elites, most probably the Gold. He looked up to see a blue Elite running up the bluff towards them. He ducked as the Gold Elite spotted and shot at him. He raised his gun to the left, aiming at the spot where the Elite will appear over the ridge. He hoped he would die without much pain.
Hopkins saw Soells fear and watched him raise his gun to aim at a point of the ridge. Estael did the same. Hopkins stared at the depleted assault rifle which he could not use. Garwood still had forty rounds left but it was useless to him. He shrugged and slowly got up, clutching at a fragmentation grenade with his left hand. He ignored Estael's shouting and the harsh pain in his arm. The blue Elite appeared over the crest with his plasma rifle pointing at Hopkins. It growled and attempted to swing the rifle and hit Hopkins. Suddenly, Hopkins jumped forwards and attempted to shoulder barge the Elite.
The Elite frustration of missing the marine was soon taken over by vague amusement. Hopkins attack did not even budge the Elite which attempted to swat the marine off. Hopkins suffered each blow and was able to take out the pin out the grenade. He wrapped his bleeding arm around the Elites thick torso and held tight shoving the grenade up to the Elites chest. Seeing this, the Elite roared anger and tried to push the marine away. Hopkins held on tight with all his determination and smiled up at the Elite. A moment of clarity was upon his face as he looked at death.
"This is for my arm," whispered Hopkins.
The grenade exploded.
Estael saw what Hopkins was trying to do as soon as he got up. He signalled Soell to roll away who was prompt to do so. Both Estael and the Gold Elite could not fire and merely watched. Estael heard the pin release of the fragmentation grenade. He quickly rolled Garwoods dead body over himself, hoping that it would save him from the blast.
The grenade exploded, and Hopkins and the Elites bodies took most of the energy from the explosion. The remaining blast went into Garwood's body, and Estael merely felt a strong pressure on his chest. He silently thanked the dead marine and rolled him off, only to see the sky raining purple and red blood.
Hopkin's action saved him and Soell for now, but the Gold Elite was already coming up the bluff. It will be on them in moments. Even if they somehow managed to kill it, the rest of the Covenant was already passed the boulders at the base of the bluff.
Suddenly an explosion in the middle of the Grunts caused the Gold Elite to stop and turn quickly. A Warthog was racing along the beach and the marine on the light anti-aircraft gun was raking the remaining Covenant. Estael ignored his exuberance of being saved. He used this opportunity to signal Soell. Both got up and charged down the bluff towards the Gold Elite which still was looking at the action below him.
When the Elite turned his head, Estael and Soell were already upon him. Soell stopped, knelt and fired his remaining clip into the Elite's side. Estael roared and dived at the now off balanced Elite. They fell hard on the ground and started rolling down the bluff. The Elite was snarling, its chest vibrating violently causing Estael's pain to be more apparent. He clutched on until they were near the bottom. Finally he let go, using the momentum they gathered to push the Elite away with his legs.
The Elite fell backwards onto the sand in the open. The Elite quickly got up and stared at the injured marine clutching its wounded chest. His plasma rifle must have been lost during the roll, but the Gold could still rip the human apart. Suddenly he was jolted forward. Series of 12.7mm armour piercing rounds abruptly ripped through its body and into the sand in front. It howled in agony before slumping face first onto the ground.
Corporal Cardoso was driving the Warthog. Stephens was on the passenger side with his rocket launcher at the ready. He already had the two rocket barrels loaded and aiming forward. Wilson was on the gunner position scanning the skies. They drove around another corner at a dangerous speed.
Minutes ago they saw several dropships flying away from the island. They didn't find much on their sweep and was about to cut it early when the Sergeant radioed in. Three Covenant dropships was hell for a large company let alone a small squad of eight. He wondered if those five could hold out for a bit longer. Cardoso hoped that he wasn't too late as he took the last corner at speed.
They saw the Jackals first with their bright yellow shields. Then they saw the Grunts. There weren't any Banshees in the air. Cardoso thanked god. Stephens signalled for Cardoso to go in at an angle. Cardoso swerved and steadied the vehicle in, without losing speed. Stephens fired a single rocket into the midst of the Covenant.
Most of the Covenant flew into the air by the explosion, but some were only injured. Cardoso quickly turn right as Wilson swung the LAAG around and fired at the remaining Covenant. Blue and purple blood erupted from the Grunts and Jackals as the armour piercing rounds pushed them away. Wilson saw a Gold Elite and a marine roll down the bluff and trained his gun on them. He saw the Gold Elite pushed into the clear and stand up. He fired, watching the armour piercing rounds go through the Elite easily.
Cardoso and Stephens shouted in celebration and started to compliment Wilson on his shooting. A large green explosion of plasma erupted in the right side of the Warthog before they could. The vehicle swerved and flipped over on to its left side. Stephens was killed outright from the explosion, and Wilson was thrown out suffering a heavy injury. Cardoso had a large gash along his side as he was partially thrown out from the driver seat. He saw Stephens's burnt body hanging over the middle roll bar.
Cardoso crawled out to see a pair of Hunters side by side with their fuel rod cannons up. The behemoths were the largest of the Covenant fighters the marines had to fight. Hunched down they were still eight feet tall and the row of long spiky tendrils on their backs make them look like odd blue hedgehogs. They carried large slabs of impenetrable metal as shielding and melee weaponry along with that huge plasma fuel rod cannon it was pointing at Cardoso. He glanced around and saw Stephens's rocket launcher. By the time he got to it, the Hunters would kill him. The Hunter on the right fired. Cardoso hugged the ground and felt a blast on his right and a whoosh of air above him.
Wilson saw the Warthog barely flip over Cardoso and land mere inches from his prone body. Wilson's femur was shattered and several of his ribs were broken due to the plasma blast and fall. He winced in fear and pain as the Warthog crashed down on its tires and spread an air of sand into his eyes. He saw underneath the Warthog the two Hunters in the distance and Cardoso trying to stand up.
The left Hunter had his fuel rod cannon ready and charged to fire at Cardoso. It was waiting for the Corporal to stand up. Before Cardoso could stand fully erect, a large explosion enveloped the left Hunter. The heat of the explosion could be felt from when Wilson was laying, and he couldn't imagine what was happening to the Hunter. It stood its ground, not blown back by the blast which took the right Hunter off guard. It was only a moment but it seemed like an hour.
The Hunter finally slumped onto the ground and died. Wilson could see a slight mark on its impenetrable armour where the rocket impacted. He marvelled at its armour and its ability to sustain so much damage. He once saw a single Hunter take five clips of assault rifle rounds at almost close range. It killed three marines with its large heavy shield slab before it could be brought down.
The remaining Hunter was stunned only for a short while. It soon lifted its large protective shield to protect itself. A second rocket hit the Hunter from behind rendering its shield useless. It was propelled forward onto the ground and lay there. A slight rhythmic rise and fall from the armour was the only indication it was still alive. Quickly Cardoso was up holding his shotgun and running towards the down Hunter. He saw the exposed orange flesh of the Hunter and shoved the barrel of his shotgun into it. He fired a single buck into the Hunter which promptly stopped moving.
Estael and Soell were running towards Cardoso as he tried to wipe off the Hunter's orange blood from his chest plate. He waved them off and signalled them towards Wilson. Soell nodded and ran towards the fallen marine pointedly ignoring the burnt carcass of Stephens. Estael was still walking towards Cardoso, but looking behind them. He didn't glance at Cardoso when he said "You hurt?"
"No."
"Good." Estael walked passed towards the figure on the horizon holding a used rocket launcher. As he got closer he could see that the figure was male, and wearing a flight suit.
"Should I thank you first or ask your name?"
"Lieutenant Kiren Hunter," said the pilot and made an awkward salute.
Estael returned the salute. "Thank you for saving my corporal's ass. We weren't expecting the pilot to survive, but I welcome this surprise."
"I didn't think I was going to make it when I saw a couple of Banshees flying past. I think they were picking up my Pelican's beacon so I had to disable it."
At the mention of Banshees Estael remembered Carter. He clicked his com-unit instantly and radioed for her. There was a crackle of static before a surprised voice came.
"Sir?" There was another crackle of static a muffled plasma sizzle as Carter muttered "Damn!"
"Carter, you're alive," said Estael almost as surprised.
"Just following orders sir."
"And you're good at disobeying them Carter, we-"
"Sir," Carter interrupted. "I'm a bit busy with a pair of Banshees."
Estael cursed and thought of something.
"Carter come round the island again fly over the boulders. Make sure the Banshees are following." Estael looked at Hunter, "You got more ammo for that RL?"
"Yes sir."
"Load 'em." He clicked his com-unit, "We got a surprise waiting for them."
"Roger," replied Carter, now in a toneless voice.
Cardoso gripped the handle of the rocket launcher he shouldered and watched the burning Banshee crash into the sand. The second Banshee was sinking under the water just off the shore from Hunter's rocket. Soell and Wilson whooped and clapped when the rockets hit their mark. Carter gave the Pelican a small victory roll as she passed. Estael nodded at Cardoso and stared at the bluff and rise where three of his marines died.
They buried all three marines in the sand; Green's sniper rifle buried along with him. There wasn't enough of Hopkins body to be buried so they scattered his remains in the oceans. They left the Covenant where they laid.
They got the ammunition crates from the down Pelican into Carter's. Hunter had a sad look in his eyes as they flew away from the Pelican. Carter appreciated this and flew away slower than she should have. This gave Estael an opportunity to think, and that wasn't good for a marine.
He replayed that gruelling battle in his head. He wondered what he did wrong; what he could have done to save those marines. He remembered Hopkins last act, Garwood quick death and Green's body being ripped to pieces. He saw in his mind the burnt carcass of Stephens being hefted away from the Warthog, and stared at the moaning Wilson laid on top of the rocket crates. Were four marines worth this? He grimaced at his wound when Carter told him the ship A.I. Cortana was radioing them. It seemed that the SPARTAN was in need of some heavy fire power. Well, he thought, maybe it was worth it after all.
Pelican dropship Bravo 22 roared into the distance.
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