Reach for Halo

New Orders

I was shaken awake gently. A low groan leaves my lips as I open my eyes, rubbing them. When I fully woke up, I see Six looking down at me.

Noble Six: You okay? 

I nod. 

Mutasim: Yeah. Just... Gimme a sec to wake up properly. 

She nods and steps back as I sit up. As I recover, I hear the other Spartans talk. 

Emile: It's a regular family reunion. 

Six pulls out Jorge's dog tags, but before she can hand them over, Emile interjects. 

Emile: Keep 'em. He gave 'em to you... I'll honour him in my own way. 

Jun: Jorge always said he would never leave Reach. 

Emile laughs. 

Emile: The big man was sentimental. 

Carter: He gave his life thinking he'd just saved the planet. We should all be so lucky. 

Mutasim: I... I'm sorry for your loss. 

Emile: Don't be. It's part of the job for us. We all meet an end, sooner or later. 

I nod slowly, recalling the deaths of everyone in Noble Team. Six seems to notice my unease and pats my shoulder. 

Noble Six: Everything okay?

Mutasim: Yeah. Just... Stuck in thought. Nothing to worry about. 

She nods and looks out the window. 

Jun: Sir, that true about Gauntlet, Red and Echo teams assigned to civilian evac ops?

Carter: Those are senior-level communiqués...

Kat: I hear what I hear. Point is why put Spartans on defensive deployments? 

Carter: I need that link to SATCOM, Kat. 

Kat: Chasing it, but this console got more shrapnel in it than transceivers. You didn't answer my question. 

Carter: You want to know if we're losing?

Kat: I know we're losing... I want to know if we've lost. 

After messing around with the device a little more, Kat manages to get through. 

Kat: Colonel Holland! Hailing us-what's he doing on an open channel? 

Carter: Let's hear it. 

She plays the device out loud, allowing everyone to hear it.

Holland (Radio): -in the south west quadrant of the city, over? Sierre-two-five-nine, if you are receiving, I am authorising override of radio security protocols to link with this channel. 

Carter: How long for a secure link? 

Kat: I can't guarantee secure anymore. 

Carter: Could Covenant trace it to us? 

Kat: I could. 

Holland: Noble leader, this is a priority One hail. If you are receiving, acknowledge immediately. 

Kat hands the radio to Carter and tells him to keep it brief. He takes it and speaks with the Colonel. As for me, I stare out of the window, keeping an eye for the ship that glasses this city. While Carter speaks, Jun informs everyone that the Covenant ships are leaving. 

Emile: How often do you see Covenant retreat for no reason? 

My eyes widen as I know what's coming.