Halo ODST: To Love a Dying World

The Weight of Knowledge

I'm standing on the edge of a precipice, a platform in the center of a vast, circular room. I'm back on Harvest. Outside I can hear the war waging, the sound of Epsilon heaving its last dying breath before it ultimately falls to the onslaught of covenant forces. The fight isn't over. I think, and stagger down a long hallway and out onto the defensive platform. Above me the barrel of an M71 anti air emplacement is smoking, its computer still rotating to track the dozens of enemy aerial targets. But it's ammo storage has long since run dry. I look around and see that the walls have already been breached. It's the final moments of Harvest now. In the distance an enemy cruiser hovers in the upper atmosphere, and then the terrible red beam erupts from its hull. The enemy weapon smashes into the surface of Harvest, turning everything it touches to glass. Hot air washes across the plains, crashing over me like a rogue tsunami. My skin burns from the heat. I can't speak, I can barely think. I hear the screams of those around me as the radiation starts to cook us alive. They never meant to take us to survive, never meant to accept a surrender. They're here to exterminate us. I look up and see a lone Pelican. Its bay doors are open and with perfect clarity I see a squad of ODST watching me. Watching as my armor melts, as my skin sloths off, and as everything I am turns to glass. As I die they escape, and I feel betrayed. A wave of sorrow I cannot outrun.

"Ginger!" Someone shouts and my eyes flutter open. I groan with displeasure. I'm soaked in sweat and my heart is racing. Its takes me a few seconds to grasp where I am, then I look to see Viking standing over me. He gives me a sympathetic smile and nods. "It's time to go." He says.

I clear my throat, nod, and push myself up out of the chair. "Where to?"

"You missed it - a call came in from the Spartan about ten minutes ago. We're going to Alexandria. Here." He says, handing me my helmet. "I got your can."

I thank him, and pull the helmet on before following him out of the room.

"The others are already on the deck." He explains.

After a short jog we're bag in the staging area of Sword base. I see Naomi and Chance having a conversation in front of a Pelican, its engines in idle and prepared to take off. When they see me and Viking approach Chance gives her a nod and Naomi climbs into the back of the Pelican.

"Nice of you to join us sleeping beauty." Chance remarks.

"Sorry, Sir. Had a fight on Harvest."

"I figured." He replies. "We're going to New Alexandria to track down our friend Mr. Colbert. Track down those weapons and rip this insurgency out by the roots. You ready for this?"

"Always."

"Then let's get moving." He says, climbing into the Pelican and offering me a hand. I take it, and move to sit down. I realise my normal position is taken by Naomi, whose silver visor is staring at me. I shrug and sit down beside her. It's good to see her with the squad. Maybe this will put the others at ease?

"Pilot, we're all in! Let's get this train moving!" Chance says, taking his seat. He leans over and pulls up his data pad. "Sync up. We're zero five hundred and twenty hours."

I check my chronometer. Its had about two seconds of drift which I correct. "Set." I reply. The others follow suit.

Chance continues. "The Spaceport is only about a thirty minute flight from Sword, so we'll be there shortly. Don't get comfy."

I nod, check my equipment over, and set the M7 on my lap. The Pelican starts to take off and I feel the pressure of lift momentarily glue me to my seat. Then with a roar of the twin engines the dropship is off, cruising over the temperate climate at speed. I look at the back and watch as the intricate canyons and grassy, sub saharan vistas go passing by. Sword is further inland than the coast, and the climate reflects that. I had to admit I'd rather fight here than on the coast. Its flatter, and as a result safer from sniper fire. Then again it's harder to get arial support when you're in a bunch of inter-connected canyons. But I can't deny the view is better on the coast. The green, the stanley twisted trees eaking out an existence on the side of great mountains. The ocean. Reach always has had a beautiful ocean. I've been told its because the water here is higher in oxygen and so it changes the color. I'm honestly not sure if its true or not. By the time I'm fully woken up we're fifteen minutes into the flight and I'm already restless to get on the ground.