ambush above the ring

Chapter 3

The four Spartans were spread out in one of the frigates armouries, preparing their weapons and gear. Eliza was sat by a weapon bench, calibrating the scope on her designated marksmen rifle. After each slight adjustment, she shouldered the weapon and sighted through the optic. This wasn't really necessary, as the scope was linked to her helmets display, but it was her way of preparing for upcoming missions, plus you never know when she might not have her helmet. Rook was stood nearby, grabbing grenades out of a munitions locker and strapping them to his chest rig. He noticed the M41 SPNKR secured on the top shelf, and started reaching up to unlock the safety clamps when a voice spoke out behind him.

"Don't even think about it, not after last time. You know the rules, no rockets inside a ship" Bishop said.

"It came in handy when we got ambushed by those robot freaks on board the Infinity, Captain Lasky couldn't have been that mad" Rook laughed.

"Surprisingly, he wasn't, but Commander Palmer was furious. You put that whole section out of action for 48 hours, and  that was apparently her favourite part of the ship. I'm not going in her bad books again because you like making things go boom"

Rook let out a sigh of sadness then locked the rocket launcher back up and decided to grab some more grenades in protest, before smirking over at Bishop. Bishop brushed his sarcastic squad mate off and walked over to where Eliza was still working. Despite hearing him coming, she stayed focused on her work, acting oblivious to the 7 foot tall spartan glancing down.

"We good 2" he said as he extended his hand out to help get up from the table.

After what felt like a lifetime of silence, she looked up at his hand, then stared at his helmet, leaning back in her chair to contemplate the situation. She hadn't put her own helmet on yet, so her piercing blue green eyes were locked on Bishops visor.

"Yeah, we are good, 1" she said sarcastically as she slapped away his hand and smiled.

"Good, I cant have you going rogue on me, I need your help keeping these two in check" he laughed.

"Who you talking about needing to keep in check". Knight said as he appeared from behind them with a Bulldog shotgun in hand.

"You know how capable I am in combat, boss".

"I certainly do, and that's what worries me" Bishop said with a serious tone.

"Do I detect a hint of care in your voice" Rook laughed as he joined in on the conversation.

"Careful Knight, next thing you know, 1 will try to take you out to dinner" Eliza added jokingly

Before Bishop could respond to there banter, a voice rang out on the armouries comm speaker.

"Valkyrie team, we will be exiting slipspace in 30 seconds, Captain said to stand at the ready" the voice said.

"You heard the man, Fire team Valkyrie, fall in" Bishop ordered as each Spartans tone switched to serious and they joined their team leader in donning their helmets.