N O V A

_Part Four: Casualty_

Nova let off two burst's from his rifle and advanced slowly. The rounds only bounced from the angled armor Atriox wore. Karina took her restraint device and charged the Brute from behind. Atriox looked into Nova's visor and saw the charging Spartan behind him, turning around quickly as Karina jumped. The Brute swung his weapon as he turned, hitting Karina as she had lunged towards him.

The war-hammer connected with Karina's left shoulder, sending her flying to the ground with an extremely hard thud. Karina let out a gasp and grunt from the pain. Atriox would have approached her. But Nova had tossed his weapon onto his back, taking the combat knife from his waist and beginning a steady approach towards the brute.

Atriox turned to the second Spartan, swinging his weapon at their head. Nova ducked under the heavy swing and stabbed Atriox in the side, through a small gap in the Brute's armor. Nova then took a jab at Atriox's core, using what strength he had in his left arm. As his hit connected, Nova winced in pain as his injury had not healed fully.

Atriox grunted in anger as the Spartan had slipped under his attack. Though after punching him, the Brute leader swung a heavy backhand which hit the injured Nova back into the ground. By now Karina had managed to stand, holding her injured arm with the other. In her right hand was the restraint device. Nova had landed on his back and rolled over, pushing himself to his knees with a sharp inhale. The injury to his left shoulder wasn't going to hold up for long.

Karina: "Alright. Take two"

Nova took the pistol from his hip and began to fire multiple rounds at the Banished leader. Atriox ripped the Spartan's knife from his side and began to laugh. The pistol's bullets bounced off of him like rubber pellets. Winter ran through dozens of outcomes, trying to find one that could result in victory. But none came up. Well... none that didn't involve a casualty.

Winter: "I have a plan!"

The top plating of Nova's right forearm armor began to split open. Emerging from the splitting armor was a grappling hook.

"How did you find out that I had that?"

Winter: "You may need to reread the manual on your armor. But now isn't the time!"

Atriox quickly approached the Spartans, raising his weapon once again. Nova looked to his grapple hook and realized what Winter had in mind. He stuck his restraint device to the hook and aimed it at the Brute.

"Karina! Go now!"

Karina nodded, rushing the Banished leader's flank as Nova fired his hook. The cable quickly shot through the air. But Atriox was quick enough to catch the hook. The Brute leader chuckled as the hook was stuck in his hand. Atriox crushed the hook and the device along with it. As he relished in the victory, a shadow flew into view from behind. Atriox reached back, grabbing something and forcefully pulling it down before him.

Dangling by their head was Karina, thrashing at the Brute's hand to get free. But Atriox was just too strong. The Banished leader began to clench his large hand, crushing her helmet and shattering her visor. Karina screamed as she could feel her skull begin to crack.

Nova listened in horror, quickly standing to his feet and rushing to his comrade.

"No!"

But he was too late in any attempt to save her. Karina's helmet burst like a blood filled balloon. Crushed mjolnir armor and bone fell across the ground as Karina's blood splattered across Nova's helmet. Atriox laughed as he dropped the now lifeless Spartan. Where Karina's head had been was now just a mangle of blood, split flesh, hair and crushed armor.

Nova was at a loss for words. His focus was nearly gone as he looked to his comrades body. Atriox took the chance to smack Nova with an uppercut to the jaw. Nova flew through the air and arced back down to the ground, landing on his back with a crushing thud. His vision became dazed as Nova could feel his shoulder wound open. The back of his head felt cold and damp.