Location: New Damascus, Near the Research Facility
Date: July 5, 2531
Time: 0645 Hours
The research facility loomed ahead, its towering, reinforced walls standing out amidst the rubble and destruction that surrounded us. Smoke still billowed from various parts of the city, but the facility itself was relatively untouched—for now. That wouldn't last long if the Covenant had anything to say about it.
We moved quickly through the narrow streets leading to the facility's perimeter, ducking behind cover as we heard distant plasma fire crackling in the air. The Covenant wasn't giving up ground easily, and the fight was only going to get harder as we pushed forward.
"Eyes up," Allen said over the comms, his voice steady but tense. "We're almost to the facility, but we've got reports of enemy movement in the area. Expect resistance."
Doc was already checking her gear, her attention shifting between her medkit and the rest of the squad. I could see the concern etched on her face, but she kept it locked down, focused on the mission ahead. We all knew this was going to get messy.
"You ready, Junior?" Fumble asked, his voice low but full of that same easy confidence. He hadn't stopped teasing me since the rooftop, but there was an underlying seriousness to his tone now.
I gave a quick nod, tightening my grip on my rifle. "Ready."
"You sure?" he added, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Because I don't feel like saving your ass for the third time today."
I shot him a look, but there was no time to respond. Ahead of us, the sound of energy shields crackling caught my attention.
"Contacts!" Slink called out from her position on the left, raising her MA5C as she spotted movement. "Jackals, about six of them, closing fast!"
Before we could react, the air filled with the familiar hum of plasma fire. I ducked behind a chunk of debris, my heart racing as the shots hit dangerously close. The Jackals had taken up a defensive position near the entrance to the facility, their shields forming a near-impenetrable line as they advanced.
"We need to break that line!" Allen barked, his voice sharp over the comms. "Ramirez, get ready to take the shot!"
Fumble didn't need to be told twice. He was already crouched down, loading a fresh rocket into his SPNKR. "On it, boss."
But the Jackals weren't waiting for us to make a move. They were pushing forward, their plasma pistols lighting up the area as they laid down suppressing fire. I could feel the heat of the shots as they hit the ground around me, and I knew we didn't have much time.
"I'll cover you!" I shouted to Fumble, popping up from cover and firing a burst of rounds at the advancing Jackals. My shots hit one of their shields, causing it to flicker but not fail. It was enough to make them hesitate, but not enough to break the line.
Fumble grinned, taking the opening as he raised his SPNKR. "This is gonna be fun."
He fired. The rocket streaked through the air, slamming into the center of the Jackal line. The explosion tore through their shields, sending two of the Jackals flying and leaving the rest exposed.
"Move!" Allen ordered, already surging forward.
We didn't hesitate. I followed Allen, my rifle up and ready as we closed the gap. The remaining Jackals scrambled to reform their line, but it was too late. Slink took out one with a precise burst to the head, while Doc dropped another with a shot to the chest.
I spotted the last Jackal trying to retreat, its shield flickering as it fired wildly in our direction. I lined up my shot, squeezing the trigger just as it turned to run. The round hit its exposed flank, dropping it before it could make it another step.
"Clear," Allen said, his voice breathless but controlled. "Everyone good?"
"Good here," Doc replied, scanning the squad for any injuries.
Fumble slapped me on the back, his grin wide and full of that infectious energy. "Nice shooting, Junior. Looks like you're finally earning your keep."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help but smile. "Just trying to keep up with you, Fumble."
"You'll get there," he said with a wink, but there was a flicker of something more genuine behind his usual bravado. I could feel the bond between us strengthening, the back-and-forth no longer just jokes but something deeper—a trust built in the heat of battle.
Location: New Damascus, Research Facility Perimeter
Date: July 5, 2531
Time: 0700 Hours
The facility's outer defenses were heavily fortified, but the Covenant had already begun their assault. As we approached, I could see the bodies of UNSC personnel scattered across the ground, evidence of the brutal fight that had taken place here just hours before. The facility's gates were still standing, but the walls were scarred with plasma burns, and a section of the perimeter fence had been completely blown apart.
"We need to secure the entrance," Allen said, scanning the area with a practiced eye. "Ramirez, Casper, take point. Doc, you're with me. Slink, cover our rear."
Fumble and I exchanged a glance, his usual smirk replaced by something more serious. We both knew what this meant—we were going in first.
"Ready to show 'em what we've got?" he asked, his voice low but confident.
I nodded, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle over me. "Let's do it."
We moved forward, rifles up, scanning the area for any sign of movement. The air was thick with tension, the silence unnerving after the chaos of the earlier firefight. I could feel my pulse racing, but I kept my breathing steady, my focus locked on the task ahead.
As we reached the entrance, I spotted something—movement in the shadows near the blown-out section of the fence.
"Contact, twelve o'clock," I whispered into the comms, my rifle trained on the figure.
Before I could react, a pair of Grunts burst from the shadows, their plasma pistols already glowing as they charged at us.
"I got this one!" Fumble called out, stepping forward and leveling his SPNKR.
But before he could fire, more Covenant forces spilled out from the side streets—Jackals, Grunts, and an Elite, their energy weapons lighting up the area as they moved in fast.
"Get down!" I shouted, grabbing Fumble and pulling him behind cover just as a volley of plasma fire hit the ground where we had been standing. The heat from the blasts washed over us, and I could hear the distinctive growl of the Elite as it closed in.
"Damn it!" Fumble grunted, his SPNKR useless in the close-quarters fight. "That's two saves for you today, Junior!"
I grinned despite the danger, my heart pounding as I popped up from cover and fired off a burst at the Grunts. "Looks like you owe me one."
He chuckled, grabbing his rifle as he joined me in returning fire. "Yeah, yeah, don't get cocky. Let's take these bastards down."
Together, we pushed forward, cutting through the Covenant forces with a precision that felt almost natural now. Every shot, every movement was instinctual, like we had been doing this for years. Fumble covered my flank as I moved in on the Elite, its shields flaring as I fired round after round into its chest.
The Elite roared, charging at me with its energy sword raised. But before it could get close, Fumble stepped in, unloading his entire clip into its side. The Elite staggered, its shields flickering out as it collapsed in a heap.
"Not bad, Junior," Fumble said, breathing hard but grinning wide. "Not bad at all."
I wiped the sweat from my brow, my heart still racing from the intensity of the fight. "Thanks, but I think we're still even."
He laughed, the sound full of relief and camaraderie. "For now. But I'm not planning on letting you get ahead."
With the entrance secure, we regrouped near the facility's main doors. The Covenant forces had been driven back, at least for now, but we all knew this was just the beginning. Inside, the facility held secrets the UNSC couldn't afford to lose, and the Covenant wasn't going to stop until they had what they came for.
Allen checked the perimeter one last time, then turned to us, his expression calm but determined. "We did good here, but we're not done. We move inside, secure the facility, and make sure whatever the Covenant is after stays out of their hands. This is why we're here."
We all nodded, the weight of the mission settling over us again. I glanced at Fumble, who gave me a quick nod of his own.
"Let's finish this," he said, his voice full of that familiar confidence.
Together, we moved toward the doors, ready for whatever came next.