ODST: Surviving the drop

Assassination

Hello everyone! The next chapter awaits!

When it comes to the timeline in the Halo universe, the main storyline of halo 5 and everything after doesn't take place, the characters and ships will still exist however. And in the Star Wars universe, it's only a half a year before Revenge of the sith/Clone wars season 7 takes place as of this chapter.

But other than that, I hope you enjoy!

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The air on Coruscant was chilly today. Cold almost. Despite the warm and durable clothing we were wearing, it seemed to slowly seep into everything. Like it was trying to carve its way down to the bone like all those years ago. Sighing as a shiver went down my back, I clutched my weapon ever more slightly. The wind blowing in from the partially destroyed wall to my right, our only window that has a direct shot to target, and I couldn't help but shiver as I looked over the city as the clouds cast the city in white light.

"It gets to you too huh?" my friend asked, an old friend from days long past.

My eyes snapped to him from across the room, his form sitting on the ground against the wall. He was the person that I trusted more than anyone else, even if he did go and betray the marines by becoming a Spartan. He didn't have his armor on, and I wasn't wearing my ODST armor ether. Leaving us in a way, exposed to one another as we both couldn't hide behind the visors and armor pieces. It was a rare, but not an unwelcome experience.

"More than I'd like to admit Buck," I admitted, not bothering to hide my sullen look from my friend.

Buck has seen his better days as well, his brown hair was starting to turn grey at the edges, and small wrinkles were starting to form. His brown eyes, hardened by years of war. Enough war to fill any man his age ten-fold and some more, something I hope never happens to me.

"Yeah. I remember the cold days... the waiting was the worst part." he said solemnly, his eyes shifting to the floor in front of him.

Another shiver went down my spine and I quickly looked back out over the city, the thousands of ships flying about, the hundreds of tall buildings in all directions, and no matter how different it was, no matter how civilized it all looked. I was still sitting in a cave, waiting to take out my target. A target that was so evil, so unstoppable, that they needed to be stopped before anyone else was hurt by them.

My eyes drifted to the target area and I shook my head, looking away as memories of the war flashed through my head. Gripping the barrel of my sniper rifle as that horrible conflict made its way back into my mind. All of this was too similar, too personal. I still remember their names, their faces, all of them. And now I'm back in the fight, as though the war never ended.

"Oh my god... they killed them all." I clenched my eyes shut as the memory of those words echoed in my head.

A picture of dead and mutilated friends, squadmates, and children following in its wake. Something I'll never forget.

"Does it ever get better?" I asked in a whisper, my voice cracking somewhat.

Buck didn't respond at first, preferring to stay silent. I looked up at him, his own eyes plastered on the ground, his body deflated.

"The cold? No. It never will." he said quietly, the cold sinking deeper into my skin.

He looked back up at me, a strong look slowly returning his eyes "If it ever got better... I would be worried that my own humanity is finally broken beyond repair. And I can't lose that. Not after making it out alive... " he said honestly, his voice dipping into sadness at the end