HRP Second Story Chapter 1

=I keep on moving at a sedate pace

I have a bad feeling there somewhere in the city...

=I keep looking towards the buildings for anything suspicious=

"... Assist evacuation efforts."
I look around again, unsure of my situation. Still a little confused.
I then proceed to give Dusk Squad my coordinates as asked.

=I recieve the coordinates from the Spatan=

Sarge, two, you guys want a pick up? Because I think the Covenant are here in the city, and what happened isn't just a coincidence.

=I then shift up and firewall the Hog's throttle=

I snap my SMG to a window

"Was that movement?"

=I look back and and nod=

We have Covvie spec ops in the area. That, and we're going with the Sarge to pick up an aquaintance of hers.

=I keep my eyes forward, focused on driving the Hog=

I head over to the sidewalk, carefully avoiding the pile that once was a Marine. And begin well.. walking on the sidewalk.
Heading deeper into the city yet again. Once I'm further in I begin searching the building for survivors.

We had finally gotten everyone out of their houses on this block, it was a tedious task but our mission was partly done. I watched as the family in the final house was walking out the door. A mother with her arm around her teenage son's shoulder, a father carrying his toddler in his arms, fear and confusion haunting their faces not knowing what was going on. As they passed the teenager gave me a nod as if he understood the importance of what was happening to them. They walked to the mass of people that were bundling up in the street, whispers and chatter sounded the street. I see Matt and Justin on the other side of the street walking to the mass, I copied. They walked to the front while I stayed behind the group. I had to make sure no one stayed behind or tried to sneak away. Echo 1 stood up on one of the warthogs and started speaking to the mass about where we were headed and to not be alarmed...that sort of stuff. My mind was else where, I looked to the opposite side of the colony. I couldn't see it obviously but through the houses I was peering through I knew our enemy was coming for us, swiftly, cunning, and merciless. There were going to come with a storm and in my heart fear was brewing. This place was a home for me and my squad and the other civilians that stood here. This place would soon be ravaged with gunfire and fighting. Such a shame. I wondered how the other colonies on this planet fared. I knew, like they knew, we were all feeling the same. Scared, anxious on what is about to happen, also wonder. Wondering what will happen to us when shit hits the storm. I just hoped that those who stood at the front line on this colony were ready and in that moment I prayed for their survival and victory.

=i opened the closet, and a few people were hiding in there. They were scared, obviously, and they probably didn't realize what I was until I spoke, since the lights were behind me=
It's alright. You're safe now.

=i crouched down and put my hand out as an offering as I radioed the rest of Dusk=
Dusk, this is Sierra Dusk. I have survivors at my location, over. Two of them, a man and a boy.

I would walk through the families, and walk up next to Mathews. I would whisper -

"Mathews, there aren't a lot of us, and a lot of civvies. I don't think we can lead them to safety if anything goes to shit. Do we have air support?

I would look at my surroundings, the buildings, families, and the abandoned roads. It scared me. I didn't feel safe, at all.

I give a sigh and start chasing. This was dangerous. We were moving closer to the edge of the city, where the covenant were more likely to be. We passed by quite a large crater. It seems the Wraith bombardment had already hit this part.

You know? This is kinda stupid. We're running blind here.

We turned a corner, and i caught a glimpse of a group of dark stormy clouds just in the distance. I knew today was only going to get worse.

I shook my head and continued walking. I had no idea. From what I'd heard the only air support we'd have would be after we got the civilians to safety. I didn't know why. Each step I took seemed to echo slightly. I was starting to focus more on sounds. my mind was narrowing. I was getting tired. I started doing equations in my head. I don't know why, maybe to engage the mind so I wouldn't get drowsy. I looked around. I could practically see the number of meters things were away from me. I looked at some of the civilians and data just popped into my head. I shook my head, casting sweat onto the concrete-mix on the ground. I stepped up my pace, walking a little faster. There were a lot of people to escort to safety. Pre-emptive measures were a pain in the ass.

"Dusk One, where is the extraction point for civilians? If not would you know someone who does?"
Soon the buildings get taller and wider. There's more cars, more lights. I'm getting further into the city.
Which means there should be people living here, which should mean more people hiding in the buildings.
Meaning I should start evacuating once this area is cleared. I should've searched more back where the Marine was.
But I need a weapon. I remember why I didn't go searching for trouble now. This is a bad situation.

A swift cold breeze reached us as we were walking to the evac point. It felt good, refreshing something I needed on this long walk back. It didn't feel this long or look the far when we were taking the Hogs here. The groups from the other Echo squads had formed together and we were now able to make a circle like barrier with all fourteen of us. Five of Seven Echo were in the hogs and they were all behind me. I turned my head to look and some of them gave me a wave. I nodded my head to say hi and ran to the front to join Matt and the rook. I could tell by the area the we were near.

I would look at Dante.

"How long have you been with the guys?"

I tried to start a conversation, to gain a relationship.

As I walk I hear the rook say something to me.

For about four to five year now. It has been awhile.

I keep my pace

I give off a distinct look.

"I'll be damned. That's a long ass time. What about Mathews?"

I look would over to Mathews, and back at Dante.

I ponder for a moment counting the years.

I think about six...give or take some months..well since boot camp if that helps.

I look forward.

"What do you give about our current assignment?"

I kick a rock on the road forward.

I smile.

"And if things go to shit? I mean, we do have the Covenant on our asses."

We do but until you start to hear the fighting we are good. It makes you wonder if they think that we are that much of a threat since they haven't sent their air support to bring their troops in. I mean why are they just attacking one side of the colony. It's like they are up to something.

My facial expression changes.

"Unless they want us to thing that. They're just attacking from one side now, but the next thing you know, they have everything they've got on the other side."

I shrug, and then adjust my DMR.

Don't let anxiety get to you, look we are already here at base. See now that wasn't too bad.

Over the edge of a small hill the outline of the extraction point was visible.

Ah good I'm hungry.

I hear my name and turn my head, but keep walking. Keeping my ear in the conversation. I checked the assault rifles magazine, a routine movement. Making sure everything slid around as it was supposed to. We had a while to go. Listening to the conversation between the rookie and Dante was entertaining. The civilians were also talking amongst themselves. They were nervous, but they weren't agitated.

We had passed a parking garage. There was a mandate passed a few years ago, Vehicles had to be in parking garages and off the streets. There was some incident and the city was sued or something along those lines. I personally thought it was weird, but then, I think politics in general are weird, so what do I know. So personal vehicles had to be kept off the street. Not like many people own them anyway. I've seen the Advertisements. They were expensive as all get out. Most people lived within walking distance of their job anyway.

the base was in sight. It was your standard UNSC military base. It was really the only description I could think of. It had your barracks, your cafeteria, your offices, an airstrip. We walked along this road that led to what I could only describe has a landing pad. Therein the landing pad was this giant dry-docked military transport vessel. I wasn't in the airforce, I had no idea what it was called. Pelicans and Hawks and Hornets I could name, because I see them so damned often. Not this hulking transporter though. It could probably house a thousand plus people on board, and have room for the rest of the military base. That's what it looked like to me.

"The UNSC base a few clicks away from where we are Sierra Two...Sierra Dusk, roger. Sit tight until the'hog arrives. Me and Dusk two are...eight minutes out."
I glance back at Katie. "Yeah. We are. But we're too spread out. It will get worse if we don't stick together."
I again turn my attention to Sierra Two. "Negative. Not since the Rio bought the farm."

Wait. No, Marines would be here if it wasn't already evacuated. That must mean this area is evacuated.
"Alright, I'll start helping in anyway that I can from where I'm at."
I continue down the street I'm on while keeping my guard up. Sooner or later I'm going to find Marines and a good gun.

I see the UNSC base. Nothing special, more like hell. I could see marines scattering. Warthogs going out, maybe even Falcons, but I couldn't tell.

"Are we heading back after they get to the base, Mathews?"

I hear an explosion, plasma grenade by the sound.

"Pull over!"

I jump off of the back of the Warthog and carefully walk to the door of a building.

"In here."

I disagree Ma'am.

I stop mid sentence to keep breathing regularly while running.

I think...That we shouldn't be charging towards.....the covenant. We should let them pull back to us...and then fall back to the Marine line....See if we can link up with any more of the ODST's.

Umbreon wrote:

I hear an explosion, plasma grenade by the sound.

"Pull over!"

I jump off of the back of the Warthog and carefully walk to the door of a building.

"In here."

=I hear the same sound and hit the brakes=

Hold on there, four.

=I sigh and follow the kid in, assault rifle in hand and rocket launcher on my back, I then hit the squad comm=

Ma'am, that ride is probably going to have to wait. Four's gone off investigating something.

Finally I spot Marines up ahead and with a good amount of Civilians. They're walking down the street opposite of me.
I run towards them and catch up with thm with ease. It doesn't go unnoticed though, all the Marines point they're guns at me.
It's because of the sudden movement and noise I just made. But even so a woman from the crowd shouts out.
"Don't shoot don't shoot! He's a Spartan. He's here to help us!"

A Marine looks at me then to her general direction. Then gives the stand down signal with his hand.
"He just startled us, Ma'am."
He looks back to me and salutes.
"Are you here to help? Or are you on some secret mission?"

I mute the Comm with Dusk Squad and turn on my external speakers.
"I'm here to help."

I take a deep breath, readying my SMG.

I spin to the door and kick it, smashing it open. I scan the room, noting the blood stains covering it.

"Clea-"

I see a body, heavily armoured, a Spartan.

"Shit, we got a dead spartan."

I scan the room again, suspecting whatever killed him was still nearby.

=I head into the room, dumbstruck as Way was=

Daaaaamn...that's not a good sign

That's not a good sign.

=I get on the comm to the Sarge=

Sarge...Four and I, discovered something.

"We are linking up with them dammit; we are not heading into the fight without anyone else."
Ellie slows. "Speak to me, what did you guys find and aklm I going to like this?"
Ellie sighs sadly. "When can we get a break."

=I take in the scene before me, chosing what words I can say on the comm=

We found a dead body.

=I turn and hit the comm again=

It's a dead Spartan, ma'am. But its not Sierra Dusk or Sierra Two.

I cock my eyebrow at the rookie and shrug.

This one asks too many questions. He's not fit to replace Gonzales at all...

Now I reverse what I had done before. Muting my external speakers and unmuting the link to Dusk Squad.
"What's his number? And how did he die?"
The group in front of me start moving again, I walk with them. Serving more of a warning then anything else.

Mathews was the quiet one, it seemed. He didn't talk much. He just wanted to finish the task, and get the fuck our of there. It seemed like he didn't like me much either.

"One group gone, more to go?"

I would give a long, drawn sigh.

=I check the tags on the body, not in any way a medic, and comm the Spartan=

Uhh...S-191. Died from a plasma grenade.

=I look again at the carnage=

I had a hard time with the ID because of the results of the explosion.

"Understood, thanks."
After muting my commlink to Dusk I unmute my external speakers. Then I head over to the Marine who I had spoken to.
"Are you the one in charge?"
"Yes I am. Why?"
"I was wondering if you could spare a weapon or two, maybe some assault rifle ammo."
"I don't have any spare guns, there'll be some at the base. But you can have some of my ammo. It should last you until we get there."
Then he gets a couple magazines and hands them to me. I put one of them into my rifle and put the rest in my belt.
Suddenly, in a hushed tone, the Marine continues.
"Why are you out of ammo? Are the Covenant already storming the city? Don't leave me in the dark here."
"I had a little run in with an Special Forces Elite, don't worry about it."
"What do you mean, 'Special Forces Elite'?"
"A scout meant to see what our forces are, see what's happening within the city. Things of that sort. I took care of him though."

The conversation stops there and we keep walking like nothing happened. Though I feel much better though with a loaded gun.

We're running out of the city. This area has already been bombarded, and that either means that the covenant have come through here, or they're going to. And there's not any bodies to support the former.

I continue chasing her anyway, but I really didn't agree to this. I suppose this is what happened when your squad was threw together last minute for the trip to defend Reach. I had been in Dusk Squad since I joined with the ODST's. But the rest of them were recent additions, and none of us exactly gelled yet.

"Yeah, well, for the record, it's a civilian's job to run from Hell. Our job is to look, jump, go through, and come out of Hell, get a beer, a protein bar, maybe some alone time with a friend or lover, then do it over again. And, I'll tell you what. If, next time - oh, there will be a next time - and we all are together after we hit dirt, then I will gladly lead you out of the line of angry motherfuckers trying to genocide our species. Sound good?"
Ellie turned her attention to the others. "Great. Remember, he's only asleep. Knocked out. You know the ONI bullshit." Ellie slowed down a bit, raising her rifle. Nothing.
She sped up agaibln. "It's too damn quiet. Not even the wind. Why am I getting a bad feeling..."

Our JOB. As you so put it. Right now is nothing. You're acting out of your own choice. Our original mission was to defend Reach. This was an emergency drop. Right now, we have no orders. We have nothing to go off.

This argument wasn't helping right now. We were making more noise than an entire battlegroup. I gave a loud sigh.

All I'm saying is that they should come to us, then we should fall back to the Marine lines. Being out here alone with no support is suicide.

=i managed to talk to the father, the boy too scared to speak. They tried to run, but the plasma bombardment took out all the vehicles, and anyone else who had one drove off before they could get a ride. The boy, I gathered from the father, ran and hid in the closet when a few mortar blasts hit nearby and caused a section of a building to collapse. The father tried to get him to come out, but he couldn't, and the Marines were gone by that point, so they simply hid, waiting. I radioed the others=

Dusk squad, this is Sierra. How close are you? I have two here and I'm not much of a fatherly figure.

We walk and walk in the southeast direction, heading towards the Military base set up here. Maybe around two or three klicks from here.

=I take the dog tags and beckon Way back to the Hog, turning on the squad comm=

Ma'am, you want Four and I to come to your position?

=I get in the Hog and accelerate=

Cause I get the strong sense that maybe the case.