HRP Second Story Chapter 1

Code:

It is 2552 on the planet Epsilon Eridani IV in the Epsilon Eridanus System. The same System as Reach. This is taking place around the same time as the Fall of Reach. A Covenant Destroyer, the CSS Wrathful Vow, is attacking the planet and most Marines/Ground forces are helping to evacuate the civilians. A UNSC Frigate , the UNSC Rio de Janero, is above the planet, but is getting beaten badly by the Cruiser. It will launch all ODST pods with as many ODST's as it can just before it goes critical.

I was running for my pod. The ship we were on was being hit by a Covenant Destroyer and well....It was destroying us. The Captain had ordered all ODST's in their pods for a final drop before the ship went up in flames. I wasn't one to stand and argue with that. I stopped when I reached the hanger area, breathing heavily. I grabbed one of the Silenced SMG's hung on a rack there and a Sniper Rifle and loaded them into my pod.

=i slammed my helmet into place, the dark visor polarizing then undoing itself to adjust for the lighting. I ran to the pod room, slipping past crew members and damage control teams. I grabbed a shotgun and an older MA5B assault rifle from a nearby rack. I was attached to Dusk Squad, which fit perfectly fine with me. I was the color of dusk, purple and blue and black. I was also known as Nightmare, so it fit oh so perfectly. But that also meant I had to go with them, wherever that was, and help them on their missions. I got to the pod room and picked out my own, over near the squad leader's pod. i looked over as I got to my pod, and began slotting them into the holsters. i saw a trooper from 'my' squad already getting her stuff in, with others getting closer=

Hey, you need a hand, trooper?

I follow Katie to the pods, running at a dead sprint. I then grab a rocket launcher and a rifle, and book it for the pods. Man did I HATE being on the receiving end of the explosives. It really did suck. I then loaded my weapons into the pod and strapped myself into the pod.

I'm okay, Spartan. I can handle myself.

Aue yu kiy krorjka?

=Zuka spoke mockingly to a Human on the end of his energy blade in the Sangheili tongue. He withdrew and deactivated his sword and attached it to his belt. The human fell limply to the ground in a pool of blood, smoke rising from the two wounds in his chest. The smell of burned flesh filled the air. Zuka turned to his second in command, another tall Sangheili wearing armor similar to his, minus the red markings on the helm, chest, and shoulders. He spoke again in their native language=

Wa’hu wrof kiv Kig-Yar, benu kiya rethe.

=He looked up at the sky. The human ship high above looked to be taking quite a beating from the Wrathful Vow. A pity. He was hoping to have more of these vermin ripe for the slaughter. Though it was not all bad. At least he would not have to deal with their awful stink any longer. That these primitive creatures could even speak, however savage and unpleasant their tongue, let alone develop the technology for Starships, baffled him. Either way, they could never escape their destruction. The Gods demand it=

Son of a bitch!
Ellie Hunter skidded around the corner, shouting at Marines and ODSTs to get off the ship. A violent lurch sent Ellie slamming into PFC Bryant.
"Sorry Mira."
"That's alright Sarge!" She shouted back as Ellie resumed her running. Her golden heart emblem flashed off her MA5C and shoulder pauldrin as she finally entered the drop area.
"Here Sarge!" Yelled a PFC, throwing her sidearm and silenced SMG over. Holster, click. Both were put into place before Ellie climbed into her pod, clipping her Assault Rifle to the side. She pounded the side, then opened a link.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, prepare to drop. Looks like the Rio is about to play her swan song. Let's get down there and kick some ass."
Ellie cut the link, eyeing the picture of her siblings in the corner of her HUD. It was at these moments that Ellie wished she had taken more interest in the kids.
"I'll avenge you two. I swear it."

escort assignment...

I sighed. Our CO was giving us the brief. We'd be evacuating and escorting civilians to safety. Safety being a transport ship to get them somewhere safe. CO laid out the parameters, gave us the details and we listened. He laid out the routes we'd be taking, and I stopped paying attention. They'd be few opportunities for sniping, unless we get caught in a building. I mentally marked locations on our routes where sniping would be a good. Chances are I'd be using the DMR more than the Sniper, or hell, even the assault rifle.

Jeremy Hunter wrote:

Son of a bitch!
Ellie Hunter skidded around the corner, shouting at Marines and ODSTs to get off the ship. A violent lurch sent Ellie slamming into PFC Bryant.
"Sorry Mira."
"That's alright Sarge!" She shouted back as Ellie resumed her running. Her golden heart emblem flashed off her MA5C and shoulder pauldrin as she finally entered the drop area.
"Here Sarge!" Yelled a PFC, throwing her sidearm and silenced SMG over. Holster, click. Both were put into place before Ellie climbed into her pod, clipping her Assault Rifle to the side. She pounded the side, then opened a link.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, prepare to drop. Looks like the Rio is about to play her swan song. Let's get down there and kick some ass."
Ellie cut the link, eyeing the picture of her siblings in the corner of her HUD. It was at these moments that Ellie wished she had taken more interest in the kids.
"I'll avenge you two. I swear it."

I hear Sarge over the radio, and check my harnesses in the pod

I'm ready and raring to go, Sarge. Just point me at 'em.

I then watch as the doors open, and I take a deep breath to calm myself

I stood by Matt as we were being debriefed on our mission in the city. Basically extract civilians and important personel. I gave Matt a hard nudge to get him to pay attention since he dozes off at these meetings.

And yet again you fail to realize the importance of the briefing, by the way we are done. Lets head out.

I was confused. I didn't know what we were doing. I dozed off in the meeting, and nearly fell asleep. I nearly fell over and awoke immediately. As the CO was briefing us, I looked over and whispered to Matt -

"What is he talking about? What is going on?"

My head bobs up. "hnn? oh."

Dante nudged me. I must've started to doze off. I never did like briefings. The CO's punishment never seemed to work. It wasn't that I was rebelling or anything like that, I just seemed to get really tired whenever we got debriefed for a mission.

"Yeah, well, maybe if they were more interesting."

I followed his lead. We'd be heading into the city. Hopefully they haven't heard the news about the attack yet. The platoon headed out to gear up.

I looked at Morrocalie. Silent. Shook my head and walked off to gear up.

"C'mon! Don't stop running!"
I hear a Marine yell to the rest of his squad and the civilians we're escorting. Nevertheless, green carbines whizz past us.
One hits a civilian and instantly my 'protective mode' turns on. I turn around and aim down the scope of my DMR.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I fire three shots right into their heads. I turn my head to the group I'd been escorting. The field medic has already gotten to work.
"He'll be fine once we get him aboard the transport."
The medic says as he helps the man to his feet. Everyone starts running again. Including me. Continuing down the street we're on.
More carbine shots from behind with some plasma fire enforcing it. I stop and turn around again, get into a crouched position and fire again.

Another Jackel goes down, then another and another. They return their fire, hitting me a couple times. My shields ring.
I quickly run over to a nearby office building, taking cover there. I wait a little bit before coming out of cover and firing again.
More Jackels fall dead. A couple more headshots and the rest of them are killed. Leaving no more pursuers.
I turn back around and run down the street the Marines had followed. Hoping to catch them before they're attacked.

I shook my head at Matt as we walked to the armory to get ready.

Brief aren't meant to be interesting fool. It is so we don't go in blind.

I turned to Justin.

Didn't you listen?

I grab myself a assault rifle and throw Matt a DMR.

For those close quarter times that you like.

I nod my head, stating "No."

"I dozed off, I guess."

I would grab myself a DMR.

"Where are we heading off to?"

I give a crooked smile as I catch the DMR. I nod in thanks. I strap on some more gear and throw the sniper over my back. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I got the same feeling every time we got deployed. I ignored it for now. My gut feelings seldom got me anywhere in the past.

I was strapped up and ready to go faster than most.

Alright rook, listen up. What we are going to do is head straight into the red zone, be prepared for a firefight. We are to escort those that need escorting to safety. First we will drop off Matt here so he can get a good read of our situation on the ground. Me and you will head into the fight with the rest or Seven Echo and help out with what needs to be done. Understood.

I rush to our assigned warthog with Matt and the rook not far behind. I enter the drivers seat and yell out.

Oh and rook! We will be fighting the Covenant.

I looked the most suprised.

"The Covenant? Are you fucking kidding me? This is a death mission! They reproduce like bunnies!"

I nearly sprinted to the Warthog, following Mathews, and Dante. I ran toward the gunner seat, and grab the bumper. I would pull myself up from there, and hop in. I would place my DMR in a safe spot inside the vehicle.

"I've yet to be trained to defend myself against the Covenant!"

The floor gave way, dropping Ellie into oblivion. She grimaced, feeling a jolt, then the normal Hell ride.
Ellie opened up a link. "Okay, screw The regs." Ellie tapped her PDA and the Helljumper anthem blared onto the link. She smiled slightly. "DJ Sarge taking requests for the next minute."
Ellie hoped the little bit of morale she gave would be worth something.

"Follow the leader Dante. Follow the leader."
I jump into the passenger seat as 7 Echo 1 leads the platoon out of our garrison.

sniping positions are in sectors 1-1, 1-3, and 1-6. Buildings provide good enough cover and overlook to engage hostiles at sniping distance. Should be simple enough. Nesting up might prove a greater challenge when I get up there though.

The judder of the drop, then the shaking as the jets come into action. This was the fun part. I open comms to the rest of my squad.

YEAH MOTHERFUCKERS! AIN'T NO COVE RUINING MY DAY NOW!

I watch as the scenery flies past me, the cloud layers. Screens in the pod showed we'd be hitting right in the centre of the colony. Dangerous, but with such an emergency drop, it couldn't be helped.

"Don't get cocky." Ellie said, shaking her head. All it took was one Chieftain, one Zealot...one suicide Grunt...to ruin your day.
Ellie glanced again at the picture, feeling the pain again. She leaned forward and touched her spine, where her kanji sat. It was her ritual.
Returning her helmet, she hit the comm. "Shout profanities all you like, but take it from me: save the harsh language for when you're out of bullets."

I waited for waited for Matt and Justin to enter the warthog.

You ladies finally ready!

I started the hog and hit the side of it.

I use to love playing follow the leader. Great game.

I waited in the line the Seven Echo had made with the warthogs. As they moved I mimicked them.I hit the gas and started moving. Matt and Justin hit the sides of the warthog just as the rest of the squad did. Moving as a line through the colony we passed abandoned buildings.

As you look to your right you can the beautiful villa that is known as shits ville. Built especially for the spiders and roaches that live there.

I may have acted like I was excited for this war but, in truth like us all, I was scared. Seeing so many abandoned and damaged places gave me the creeps. I turned to Matt and gave him a nod. He nodded back as if to understand by impatience.

Boom!

Shit did you hear that?

I slammed on the breaks just as the others of Seven Echo did. I looked foward and saw one of us pointing to the skies. Everyone soon turned to see what was happening.

Boom!

Another sound was heard as what seemed as a burning meteor was crashing to the colony.

Shit. ODST, I thought they were still on the ship. What the hell is going on?!

I hear the anthem blare in the speakers and smile silently to myself, letting the anthem play. I then hear Katie scream over the comm.

Sarge, if its all the same to you, I'd rather have some explosives.

I then hear the pod drop and feel the intense pull of gravity as we plummet into the atmosphere of the planet below. I give a silent prayer and hope the pod holds together

Ahh! You don't need to tell me Sarge!

I grin inside my helmet. It was really starting to get bumpy now, and I knew we were getting close to the ground. I close my eyes slowly and relax all my muscles.

"I don't like this -- At all. Do you see anything out here?

The camp was behind us. That was the first place I'd rather be. I was fearing that an Elite with one of their swords would come up behind me and execute me.

Don't think about death, that'll just put me down.

I would say that in my head as we drove. I would keep scanning around us with the '50. As we hit the bumpy road, I would jerk left and right every time we hit a pebble, it seemed.

"How long until we are there? And, what is that sound?"

I would look up, seeing many objects flying down from the sky.

"Watch out! What the fuck are those? Go, go, go! Faster!"

I would be panicking, not wanting to hit whatever is flying down.

I laugh a bit at Katie's statement, knowing that she had to be at the top of her game. I then feel the pod shake as ee get closer to the ground.

I hope those Covvies are hungry...cause I'm gonna give those split-jaws a healthy dose of hot lead!

I then close my eyes as I brace for the impact

I could hear the rook panicking, which was not needed.

Calm the fuck out Rook!

I catch up to the squad and civilians, finding that they're just fine. A soldier nods at me when I take point.
A fork in the road up ahead. But with my downloaded map of the city I know exactly where to go.
Turning to the right and scanning for hostiles, none. I bring my hand up and move my fingers back 'n forth, saying 'come here'
They do so and we head down the empty street, staying next to the buildings as we do. This continues for awhile before we reach the transport.

Everyone but me climbs in and the ship takes off. I activate my comms unit and contact the commanding officer.
"This town is secure sir, all civilians evacuated."
"Good job soldier. But I need you to evacuate civilians again. I'm sending a Falcon for transport now."
"Understood sir."

=the drop was fairly new. I'd only had maybe three drops before this, but I managed to keep my breakfast inside my stomach. I listened in on the comms of the squad, trying to get a feel for them. I had just been assigned a while ago, and still hadn't quite gotten them down in terms of how I feel about them. They all seemed...eager. Either way, the ground was rushing up to meet us, and I made minor adjustments to our landing coordinates, so that I would land a little ways closer to the front lines=

I would start yelling.

"Can't this thing go faster? My grandmother drives faster!"

I would aim the '50 up in the air.

"Can I shoot!?"

The thud of the impact shook me in the pod. As expected. My eyes snapped open and I hit the emergency bolts on the door to blow it off. It launched forward about 20 feet, bouncing off of the front of a car. I climb out, turning around and pulling my SMG and Sniper out with my. I holster the SMG on my leg and take a quick glance round.

Dusk 2. I'm on dirt.

I nodded. Keeping an eye out for trouble. I've heard stories about Elite's having powerful camo. That scares the hell out of me. I heard Dante talking. ODST pods.

Interesting development. emergency drop? Or secret mission? both?

"Hm."

I hit Dante on the arm. I'd rather not be caught standing still in the middle of the street.

My pod hits the ground with a thud, sending my head against the back of the pod. I shake my head to rid myself of the disorientation, and I hit the emergency bolts on the door to blow it off. It launched forward about 30 feet, landing near a building front. I then climb out, turning around and pulling out my rocket launcher and my rifle, getting out and scanning the area.

Dusk 3, I have boots on the ground.

=the ground rises to clash with my pod in a poetic conflict of man vs nature. The pod survives, and I quickly slap the bolts and jump out, grabbing the shotgun and assault rifle as I push myself free. I look around for a target=

Sierra Dusk, on the dirt.

Ellie hung tightly before impact, shaking violently before coming to a rest. She shook her head, then yanked her rifle from the side and hit the bolts, launching the front off. Ellie climbed out, MA5C raised. She as taking slow, deep breaths, on an adrenaline high. As it passed, she hit her comm.
"Dusk.Team, report." She barked. Right now, she was worried about hostiles in the area.
"Dusk 2, I'm on dirt."
"Dusk Three, I have boots on the ground."
"Sierra Dusk, on the dirt"
"I read you Two, Sierra. There's an overturned semi about ten yards from my position, due west. That is Dusk's RV. From there, we'll contact the garrison on this planet and link up with the rest of the Rio's surviving ODSTs. Move!"

Rook we don't shoot at our side. Understand. I thought they told you about the drops in training.

I felt the nudge from Matt. I commed the front hog.

Can we get this line moving sir?

I take it he heard me when the line started to move on. We passed a couple more building until the Sarge commed us.

"Alright Seven Echo we are to scan this area for civilians and lead them so extraction. We are to pan out hog takes a different street. Understood!"

Every hog honk in agreement.

Well I guess this is our street.

I stop and get out.

Alright pan out and start knocking on doors.

I put my fist out to Matt.

=i see the waypoint appear on my HUD. It was a fairly long ways away. Thanks to my course corrections I was a maybe the furthest away at this point. I put my shotgun on my back and flicked the safety on my rifle. I started heading out, mindful of the hostile presence and threat level. My motion tracker was red on the edges, for those targets that are just out of range, both behind, to my right side, and slightly in front. I was probably right on the edge of a major push, but thanks to buildings and debris and rubble, I couldn't see anything or hear anything=

Sierra Dusk, on my way.

I get a flicker of static on my VISR and the feed from the Rio goes dead. I give it a glance upwards.

The Rio's down!

I watch as the explosion flares in the bright sky from the reactor going critical. Numerous smaller explosions followed it. I knew the Captain said they were losing, but I didn't expect it to be that quick. We had only just gotten out of there.

I bumped his fist with mine.

I hopped out of the Warthog. It was that special time of year where every civilian got to board a transport ship and leave their home. Damn the Covenant and this god-forsaken war. These people didn't have to suffer like this. It just wasn't fair. I walked over to the nearest door. Curious faces were already looking out of windows. A lot of people would be at work at this time of day. I knocked on the door, "Who is it?" The call came from the comm's device (I have no idea what they're called).

"7 Echo 7, UNSC. We're evacuating the area."

That was all I really had to say. A woman came out holding a baby.

"Evacuating? Why?"

Because you're all going to die if we don't.

"For your safety, does anyone else live here?"

wait, she's probably the owner of this apartment building...

"We have 47 rooms..."


We'd be escorting civilians from the next couple of sectors, 7 Echo would. The garrisoned troops here were going to be spread throughout the city. We were among the last to be deployed to help with civilian escorts. We'd be escorting civilians in this sector. more than a thousand people total. 7 Echo and 8 Delta were assigned. After some conversation with the lady, her tenants began exiting the building. Some of them brought stuff with them.

Ellie skides under the small arch created by the overturned cab. I see the Rio die as well.
"Dusk Two, any sign of survivors? Life pods, dropships, Hell, a Warthog crate? We all know how sturdy those damn things are."
She checked her supplies. All there.
Now, to wait.

=i vault over a low railing, bent and partially melted from plasma fire=
Stay focused Dusk squad. There's nothing we can do for them.

=i saw a flicker of movement to my left, but there was nothing there, nor was there anything on my motion tracker. I kept running, and simply passed it off as an adrenaline twitch of the eye=

I get a flicker of static on my VISR and the feed from the Rio goes dead. I give it a glance upwards. I look and see the Rio blowing up and falling from the sky.

Yep...the Rio's kicked the bucket.

I then look once more to see the flaming wreckage of the ship heading down, and I look at our current position. I then moved, knowing that the Covenant would be on us in a manner of moments.

Nothings popping on my HUD Sarge. I can't give you a confirmation for the next minute or so though. It's too high up to get a good bead on anything that might be falling.

I continue moving towards the RV. Just round the next corner should do it. I pop my sniper around and spy the truck. I could see Ellie sat under it. I slowly made my way over, keeping my watch up high for jackals.

I heard something overhead, something big. I looked up frightened at the sight. I commed everyone.

Is that the fucking Rio!. The Covenant just took out the Rio.

Everyone looked up but it was Colonel who set us straight.

"Alright Seven Echo stay focused on you mission, we will not let one go missed."

I looked at Matt and saw that he was getting people out of the buildings. He was able to keep his composure at time which was a good trait to have. Still shocked I head up to one of the building and ring the doorbell. An old voice appeared behind the door.

"Hello."

Hello Miss, I am from Seven Echo, marine corps. I am here to evacuate you and anyone else who resides in this building.

"But it's my grandsons birthday, he turned 8 today."

I made a smirk, that's nice to hear, but I need to get you people to safety.

I heard another voice behind her, seemed to be the father of the boy.

"What seems to be the problem sir."

I need to get you and your family out of here. Can you please gather everyone and come with me?

He could see the serious nature of this from my face.

"Give me a moment."

I nodded and waited.

I would turn my comms on, and ask Dante -

"What the hell is in the air?"

I would start to trot to a nearby house, as Dante and Matt went to different ones, or so it seemed. I walked to the door, and press the doorbell. A rung could be hurt, and a few footsteps. The footsteps stopped, and the door cracked open. A little girl, of the age of seven or so, would peek her head through the crack.

"Can I help you, Sir?"

"Are your parents home right now?"

"Yes! Want me to go get them?"

I would crouch, and smile at the young girl.

"Yes, that would be great."

As the little girl skipped to her parents, a voice could be heard in the background.

"Didn't we tell you not to talk to strangers, huh?"

In which the little girl replied -

"Yes, daddy. Some man is at the door!"

The father of the little girl would walk to the door, and shut it. A few locks could be hurt fiddling. The door would open up wide, and the father would look confused.

"Can I help you with something?"

His voice was deep, and it seemed as if he was mad.

"I am here to evacuate civilians in the area, could you take a few minutes and grab some items you may need?"

His facial expression changed almost immediately, and his skin turned pale.

"Yes, give us five minutes."

He would nod, and step on the porch, and sit down.

=As I ran, the dots got bigger on my motion tracker. I could hear, softly the hum of gravity engines. I radioed the others=
Dusk, this is Nightmare. I got something big on my tracker. My guess, one big push. Be ready, I seem to be on the edge of it.

=i was getting closer, a few more turns and I should be able to see the squad, but I had to let them know before I, and by extension whatever it was next to me, got to them=

I walked over to the next building. 7 Echo 1 was talking with an elderly couple. He was trying to convince them to leave. They were being stubborn, saying that they were far too old to leave their home. Saying something about dying before the Covenant could drive them from their homes. I stopped listening at some point. Standing idle by 7 Echo's leader. Marik was 7 Echo 1. He practically grew up in this city. He knew the elderly couple and most of the people here. He made it a point to do so. He grew up closer to the inner city.

He was a good man. I was proud to serve under him. We were friends too, we respected each other. He wasn't as good a friend to me as Dante, but he was still a good friend.

I think my presence aided Marik's argument, letting the elderly couple know that this was serious....

I don't know if my face had a certain look to it, but when the old man looked at me he seemed to change his mind. Turning to his wife and telling her to leave with him. I wasn't sure if they'd make it out of the city alive, but I don't think Marik would let that happen. He had a phrase that he applied to these things, he said it a bunch in training too, "Everyone out, and not one left behind."

Soon afterwards a Falcon flies overhead and lands where the transport had been. I climb aboard and it takes off.
There's no other apparent passengers. Just me and the pilot. After awhile I see a breathe taking scene.
The remnants of a once great ship slowly fall from the sky. Fire, explosions and thousands pieces of metal float around the destroyed ship.
This is many, many people's grave. Right there. Nothing I could do much about it's just knowing what happened...

The Falcon comes closer to the city, eventually landing somewhere near the outer perimeter of it. No Covenant... yet.
I jump off the Falcon and look up at it as it flies off. Only to be hit by a fuel rod cannon. The bird's left wing is blown apart on impact.
It spirals out of control before slamming against a skyscraper a little ways away. I look over to where the shot had come from.
Due to the building in the way I can't exactly... see anything. So I run to the right and forward, going northeast from my last position.

By now I have my DMR out and ready for combat. As I look for who'd dun it I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.
I swing myself over to it's general location and again see nothing. Strange, I could've sworn I saw something.
After I convince myself that it's nothing, I check on my current objective. Just reminding myself.

Code:

>>Help the Marines in the area evacuate the city<<

Just like he sa-- What was that?

I aim my DMR at the... incursion of the road and building. Everything within a small width and tall length is wavy. Like something went wrong.
That's when a wave of blue energy emits from the top of it and flows down the figure. The figure being a.. no.. it can't be...