Halo: Conflicts

Chapter 2: New Alexandria

August 18, 2552
Planet Reach
0837 hours
   
The early morning is silent. There is a faint rustling of leaves and occasional wild call of Moa. A low rumble is heard in the distance as a group of dots appear on the horizon. The rumble grows louder and evolves into a thunderous scream as a cluster of Pelicans streak over the trees. John-A222, Adam-B226, Josh-A124, Timothy-A130, Tyler-B037, and Nathan-B136 sit ready in one of the Pelicans as the force pushes forward. The back hatch is open and the Spartans watch the trees behind them. John stands and looks his men over. "Alright, listen up Nova. Overnight, Covenant forces punched into the city. Echo Team was deployed immediately. Local Police and UNSC forces engaged but have been pushed back. Our first objective is to give them support." He turns to look out at the horizon behind them. A few Pelicans from the group hold formation behind them. "The fleet is engaging the Covenant ships as we speak and there is a chance for us to drive the Covenant back. It's still early, but we have our goal." The low roar of the Pelicans continues as the Spartans nod. Josh-A124 asks, "How is the casualty count so far, sir?" The Commander turns to face the others once more. "Minimal for the time being. NAPD managed to move most civilians back quickly enough." John walks into the cockpit and stands beside the pilots. Looking out, the skyline of New Alexandria can be seen on the far horizon. Beyond the buildings are sharp snowy mountains. A222 returns to the passenger bay, where some of the Spartans are standing in anticipation. "Alright ready up. Green light is approaching."
   
0845 hours
  
John places his grenade launcher on his back and checks his assault rifle. Timothy stretches as Josh inspects a spare magazine. The pilot comms, "Drop zone confirmed. Prepare for green light." John moves to the back of the Pelican, followed by the other Spartans. The Pelican descends as the bases of skyscrapers and other buildings zip past them. They are pristine white, plated by the mirror-like surfaces of dark windows. The dropship is low now, a few hundred feet above the city streets. Several of the other Pelicans veer off, moving to their own objectives. The Spartans' own Pelican slows slightly, far below the skyline. The pilot comms, "Red light, Spartans." The team braces as the Pelican slows once more, now only a few stories above the streets. It still speeds through the city, the pilot slowing more out of care than necessity. He comms, "Green light! You're clear!" John nods and leans forward, sliding off the edge of the Pelican. Gravity carries him towards the ground, his momentum moving him forward as he is followed by Josh, Timothy, Adam, Nathan, and Tyler, respectively. The Commander turns, adjusting his position. The surface below rushes upwards, and he lands in a solid crouch. Not a moment after, five more thuds ring through the street, as the rest of his team makes contact. John calls out, "Sound off." His command is met by immediate response. "Nova Two green. Nova Three, good to go. Nova Four, here. Five, good. Six, green." A222 nods and looks down at the ground. The Spartans have dented and cracked the concrete and metal below. He looks up and studies his surroundings. Gunfire can be heard in the distance. John signals and the team moves forward.
  
1345 hours
  
There is a loud boom as a plasma grenade detonates into a cloud of blue plasma. Gunfire rings through the entire intersection as bullets and plasma alike pierce through the air. John fires a steady stream from his assault rifle, bringing a Brute to the ground. Several UNSC Marines are crouched behind overturned cars and dumpsters. Police forces contribute there fire as well against the savage Covenant force. A sniper shot thunders as Josh-A124 fires from a nearby overpass. A Brute Major releases a sickening roar as it crashes to the ground. Adam runs forward, unloading an assault rifle into a cluster of Grunts. There are several rings as purple-pink streaks descend from a nearby building.... Kig-Yar snipers. A glowing pink crystal pierces the shoulder of a nearby Marine. He groans and slouches behind his cover. A few feet over, Adam continues to fire as a pair of Brute rush him. John picks up the fallen Marine's shotgun and tosses it. "Adam!" The orange-clad Spartan catches it and pops a shot into one of the Brute's gut. It roars and Adam fires another shot into its head. The second Brute swings at the Spartan, but Adam grabs on and pulls himself onto its back. He drives a knife into the Brute's neck and it gurgles to the ground.
  
Several further sniper rifle shots thunder, followed by a repulsive crack as the Jackal snipers hit the street below. Josh comms, "Snipers clear. Move up." Nathan-B136 moves up with a heavy machine gun and sends a heavy spray into a group of Covenant infantry. Tyler-B037 slams the butt of his shotgun into a Jackal, causing its gauntlet shield to burst. The Spartan then drives his foot into the Jackal's leg, bending it to the ground. A group of Marines focus their fire on a lance of Grunts, sending them fleeing. John moves up behind Adam. He runs into a cluster of Grunts. He fires, killing two but stops as his rifle clicks empty. He swings the rifle, slamming it into the head of another Grunt. The short alien squeals and falls back, dazed. The Commander then grabs another by the head and ends it with a sickening crack of the neck. The Brutes growl orders and the Jackals and Grunts begin to turn back. Brutes continue to fire their Spikers as they backtrack. A NAPD officer is hit, the spike darkening as it cools. The Spartans and Marines continue their fire as battlefield medics move up. Slowly, the gunfire stops.
   
The medics treat wounded as John looks around. He shouts out, "Spartans, set up a perimeter. Josh, keep an eye on them as they fall back." A124 comms, "You want me to send them a thank you?" The Commander comms, "If you would be so kind. I think we all want them to know how much fun we had with them today." After a few moments, sniper fire rings out, the bullet trails shooting out toward the retreating Covenant.
  
1630 hours
   
A Grunt squeals as it runs through an alley. It runs into a small garbage can, causing it to curse and limp slightly. After a moment, the Grunt is consumed by a large tan mass as Josh-A124 tackles it to the ground. The Grunt doesn't survive the impact. Josh hops to his feet as the rest of the team clambers behind of him. John-A222 nods and leads the team out of the alley and into the street. Adam-B226 asks, "Sir, is it possible for the Covenant to have pulled out of the city?" A222 shakes his head "Negative. The Covenant is relentless. This is only the beginning." He looks around the urban environment. "Skirmishes have been reported across the other half of the city, but I can almost assure you that it will not end there."
  
There is a sharp howl that radiates from down the street, followed by a charged explosion. Several Human screams follow as a small group of New Alexandria Police officers sprint past the Spartans in fear. The Spartans watch the men pass and divert there attention back down the street. A Brute Chieftain howls again and climbs onto an overturned Police car, shaking a gravity hammer. He is accompanied by a small supplement of Brute Minors. Timothy-A130 nudges John, "The officers?" John shrugs. "Let them run. We can handle this." He and his teammates check their weapons. He finally looks up, the howling Brute distant in his visor. "Let's go." The Spartans dart forward as gunfire begins.