Flesh Wounds

Chapter 17.2 "Hellstorm Siege"

--5 Years Ago--
Maxx Pov

I cock my MK17 and set it on the planning table. "Two Covenant cruisers."

Then off to my left Kate activates a hologram schematic of the type of ship, "We will sabotage the engines in both of the ships. We should have enough time to destroy the first one and sneak to the other."

"When the first one blows they'll know we're coming," I said as Kate and I explained to the group of about 50 ODST the matter of the situation.

"Intentional or not, these ships are headed towards Earth. We cannot take a chance with our home planet," She said and pulled out her A.I. chip from her helm.

Everyone was quiet as she held her hand out and her A.I., Thirteen, popped up, "I projected their acceleration and direction. They will make it in 36 hours, simplified."

"Thank you 13," Kate said and put her chip back in, "They don't show any sign of turning. So it's up to us."

"Up to us to save the world, quite literally," I chimed in to add a dramatic point.

Everyone had left and it was just me and Kate.

"Save the world, something you think we can do?" She asked me and grabbed a railgun from my weapon rack.

"Something we have to do," I took up my custom sniper and stuck it to my back, "Can you get me a pack, I plan on bringing more than two guns."

"Jeez are you trying to weigh down their ship or something?" She asked two handing me a large magnet backpack.

"Well they are in space, that wouldn't work," Thirteen chimes in before I can answer, like normal.

"Right, you are.." I said quietly and stuck a shotgun to the pack, "A little something from the Watershed," I remarked to myself and attached a compact weapon to the side, I'll need it in a tight pinch.

"This is a lot to ask for you Kate. You've only been on the battlefield for a year, you sure you want to come with?" I asked Kate, sticking frag grenades to my pack.

"You think I'd do the math and leave?" Kate asked and put two SMGs to her side, "Because if so you're wrong."

"That's what I like to hear," I said and stuck my pack to my back as she took off her helmet, her light blonde hair falling into place. Even though I was wearing my helmet, I could see her staring straight into my eyes.

"We've got one chance, one army, and one day."

-The Day After-

"Pelicans all ready?" I heard Kate ask over the radio. We were currently in the hangar bay of a cloaked UNSC

I flipped my ignition and replied over the comms, "Mine's ready for take off."

The pelican to my right's engines come on and over the radio, "She's loaded with a crew ready for kickin ass," the man said.

"All powered up," Said someone else on the comm.

"Alright everyone activate cloak once we fly out of the carrier. Then we'll board the lower hanger in priority one," Kate said as she flew her pelican up off the metal hanger floor.

I start pulling up on the joystick and the pelican starts gliding off the ground and into the air, "Everyone up."

All pelicans rise and balance themselves in the air. 

"On my mark," Kate started counting down, "three. Two.."

There was a physical tension over the radio as everyone had their hands over their cloaks and thrusters.

"Mark."

Every ship came flying out, Kate first, followed by me, then in a almost bird like V, we all hit cloak and flew in formation. With the ships technology installed on, we can see every cloaked friendly ship with an outline.

"Okay everyone full speed on the left ship!" Kate ordered and her thermal lit up as her drives came full force. 

I flipped mine on next, "Everyone fall behind," and blasted towards the ship with speed faster than sound.

"Low hangar we've got enemies to take out," the calm pilot points out.

"Weapons are green people," I said and flipped off my thrusters. I flipped a switch and hit a red button, which opened up the front MG on the pelican. 

Everyone followed me now that we are about to enter battle, probably a short lived one too.

"Don't fire until we're all in.." I murmur almost to myself as I edge on the throttle.

"Making contact to artificial gravity in three!" Kate shouted over the radio.

"Almost within jamming distance!" Someone in the back of my pelican yelled as we flew past the gravity shield. 

"Slow down!" Kate yelled over the comms as I crossed the hangar quickly, leaving room for everyone else in. 

"Covenant communication are down!" 

The second Kate flew in I shouted, "Open fire!" 

Spinning up my now uncloaked turret all of the covenant troops at the bottom look up at my pelican, just as one plasma shot fires, my cannon blasts to life and sprays bullets everywhere.

Kate follows suit and starts spinning up.

As I gun down a group of unarmed grunts an elite jumps into a banshee, sending it to life and flying it up. But just as they about make it out the third pelican comes full neutral speed into the little ship, blowing it up.

"Damn that won't buff out!" They said and began firing rockets at the vehicles below like nothing happened.

The last pelican drifts in and with a sniper rail shot takes out the last of the small group, "Clear."

"All clear," Kate responded in confirmation.

"Landing down here," I said as Kate flew above me to reposition herself. As the pelican hit I switched the weapons to 'Survey' mode and hit the back release. I put my pack on my back and switched off the engines before I stepped out with the rest of my team.

I walked up to the engineer and pulled out my Assault Rifle, "You sure that the jammer's working?"

"If I wasn't sure then we'd be screwed right now," She said and took out the large piece of tech.

"Right," I turned to the rest of the dead covies, "Right you are.."