Halo 3: ODST Operation Cup o' Doom

Chapter Seven

After the attack, the ship set a course back to Concord for repairs. At their current limping speed, it would take weeks, but it was still the closest planet with a Rift Station.

A few days into the journey, a distress signal crackled across every channel.

"Mayday! Mayday! Any ships in the area, please help us! Concord has been under attack by Covenant forces!" a frantic male voice cried.

Shipmaster Vadumee exchanged glances with his remaining bridge crew. They were exhausted—half running on adrenaline, half on stubbornness after the battle they had just survived.

"We are the only ship for light years," he said grimly. "I know we are nearly limping, but we must help them."

He grabbed the overhead intercom mic.
"Concord is under attack. We are preparing to enter slipspace to reach their aid!"

"Slipspace?!" an engineer blurted. "Sir, we cannot put the ship through that! It could tear us apart!"

"That's a risk we'll have to take, Lieutenant. Do it. Now."

The Lieutenant hesitated, his hands hovering over his console. "Y... Yes, sir." He swallowed hard and began punching commands. "Here goes nothing. I hope we survive this..."

He hit the final command.

The ship shuddered violently as power surged through every deck—then snapped into the violet swirl of slipspace.

Shipmaster Vadumee gripped the railing. "Report! Are we stable?"

"Yes, sir," the Lieutenant answered, relieved.

"Excellent." Vadumee snatched up the mic again.
"All ODST troops, don your gear and weapons and get to your drop pods immediately! All remaining crew to battle stations!"

The alarm blared.

Aria quickly donned her armor and sprinted to the armory.

Kayla was already there, tapping a foot impatiently. "Come on, Aria! I never beat you here. You making out with Ultra Bahtiyaree?"

"Oh hush! Now is definitely not the time," Aria muttered, opening the armory door.

The division lined up, grabbing weapons, checking ammo, then rushing toward the hangar.

"Woohoo!" George hollered. "I finally get some action!"

Muhmep raised a brow. "You're that desperate?"

"Hey, action is action!" he laughed, jogging ahead. "Anything to get the blood pumping, Corporal!"

The intercom crackled again.
"We have reached outer orbit of Concord. All ODST, to your pods and prepare for drop!"

Rha' stood in the hangar as his troops filtered in, checking gear and securing themselves.

Aria handed the last Marines their weapons and gathered her own as Kayla came running in.

Rha' intercepted her. "Where are you going, Sergeant Peril? Your post is here."

"With all due respect, sir—I'm also an ODST. And they'll need a doctor down there."

Rha' paused, then smiled and stepped aside.

Kayla sprinted to her pod, ending up across from Muhmep.

"You ready to rumble, Corporal?!" she asked, pulling on her helmet.

"Hell, yeah!" Muhmep said, fist-bumping her. "See you on the other side, Sergeant."

Yuri approached Rha', arms crossed. "I feel left out."