Halo:Feet First

Halo Feet First 3

0800 hours July, 25 2552(military calendar)

/Epsilon Eridani System, planet Reach.

UNSC pelican dropship Expdus.

29 kilometers from Bahd Catha Ice Shelf.

The Exodus jolted slightly as it hit turbulence. Harald sat near the door as he always did, staring at the deck. Events of the day before ran through his head and he couldn't help feeling guilty. He felt like the loss was his fault. The whole platoon,what was left of it, followed his example. The loudest noise was that of the engines roaring and even it was barley heard with the troop bay door closed.

The weather was atleast 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Even with the door closed it was still cold. UNSC standard issue winter clothing only took the bite out.

Kassardy stood, "Alright, everyone heads up now. This is ridiculous! It was no ones fault. If you wanna blame someone then blame the covenant. Take it out on them not yourselves. It's all just casualties of war...it could've been me or you or anyone. This is what we signed up for and if you though for one second that you'd never see combat with those alien bastards...then you were lying to yourselves and your platoon from the start."

"But..."

"No but's Locklear," Private Lenox cut him off. "You gave orders like you'd done it for years. No ones death was your fault and I don't know about the rest of them, but I don't blame you for a second."

"I don't either," Felix spoke up.

Daniels stood and grabbed a handle,"neither do I. Sir you did what you had to and you did a damn good job!"

"Yes it sucks that we lost men...friends, but we have no choice but to move past it. I don't know about you, but Sergeant Nomen didn't raise me to be a puss!" The whole troop bay laughed and shook their heads.

The cabin door swung open and the crew chief stepped through. "Quit your lollygaggin and listen up! Sword Base is only four minutes from here. When we touch down, I want you out so gear up and get ready. Hope you enjoy your stay in one of the coldest places on reach."

The platoon started packing blankets and other equipment into their bags. They smacked magazines against their helmets, packing the ammo. They grabbed their rifles from the gun rack, checking the safety.

Locklear could feel the pelican come to a halt. It, like all D77's, jerked as it descended to the platform below. The door dropped and a solid gust of cold wind blew through the blood tray, sending a chill up Locklear's spine.

He, followed by the others, marched off of the pelican and turned to face a man in navy blues. He wore a silver eagle on the chest of his trench coat. He stood around six and a half feet tall, standing at ease. His face was rough and he had a well trimmed mustache. His hair was covered by his blue peaked cap.

The marines snapped to attention, drawing their hands to a solute. The man did the same. "At ease gentlemen," he said, lowering his hands to his side. "I am Colonel Talbet Hurrid. As you know, Winter Contingency has been declared. You are here to reinforce Sword Base in case the Covenant decide to see it as a target."

Locklear stood in line with the rest of the platoon. In front of him was what was left of first platoon. Twenty five people. That was less than his own. The other platoons, which were now lined up behind him, had sustained minimal casualties. They were lucky. They hadn't quite seen how bad their enemy really was.

The colonel had continued his speech about the rules of sword base and such. Harald paid little attention, he assumed it was close to UNSC regulation in any case. There were other men standing behind him, all with MA5C assault rifles at ease. The Exodus had lifted off minutes ago and disappeared into the gloomy sky. The clouds shifted constantly, but the malaise darkness made it almost impossible to see. The mountains behind and around Sword Base weren't looming, but they were tall enough.