A rock shivered as if it knew what was coming. Like it could hear the wailing of plasma soaring overhead. Like it could feel the vibration of the M8080V Scorpion tank moving backward down the street. Like it could smell the ash of buildings burning from the plasma mortars that rain upon the city. Like it could sense the presence of human military vanishing. Like it could see Corporal Omar retreating with some the remaining soldiers.
“All units, move further into the city. Outer perimeter has been breached by Covenant forces.” The order echoed through the Private’s head. The tan colored armor protected them from the smells of the ash, but they heard just fine. Sight was enhanced by a sliver of golden glass on the helmet, like all of the other Marines. A pair of gloves gripped their Assault Rifle tightly, as if the weapon was their only way off of the battered and soon to be glassed world of Kholo. The gun was regularly seen in the hands of United Nations Space Command Marines.
“Marines, protect the Scorpion! It’s the only thing we got that can stop that Covenant armor!” Sergeant Major Arthur Lawrence barked. Corporal Omar jumped to the ground as plasma ricocheted off a wall and exploded behind them. A short burst of fire from the tank’s machine gun ripped a short, stocky alien to pieces. A golden, oval-looking gun dropped to the ground, appearing too large for the creature to carry. The Scorpion tank came to a halt at an intersection, a small park in the center.
“Jackals!” A marine pointed to aliens unlike the short and stocky one, in the distance, clambering into a building. They were bony and tan, but something was off. The Marines noticed a glint of purple light from the opposite side of the now larger looking plaza. Usually, these creatures carried bright blue shields, and typically spotted on the front line. Before any one of them figured out what was happening, one fired across, a beam of light trailing behind the seemingly solid light. It wasn’t until the first marine, Private Catina, hit the ground that they ran to the sides. These were snipers, and previous fights on other colonies showed Jackals were very agile.
“ODSTs, my Marines will escort you through these buildings. Flank and kill those Jackals!” Lawrence barked.
Andrew nodded as he turned the safety off his rifle. Taking a quick breather as he observed the the battle, a disturbing smile breaking across his face.
“Just another day for a hell jumper. Now that I don’t have anything holding me back. I don’t have to be careful.” He chuckled
“Sarge, this is Corporal Omar… You want us to cover you?” Omar asked as he lead his ODSTs across a bridge connecting two buildings, the Scorpion rolling underneath.
“We have to reach the primary evacuation site. They need us as reinforcements, Corporal.” Arthur replied. “Enter that warehouse, and meet us down the street. Phantoms are on the way, so watch out.” He added.
Sun’yir’nal looks around What a lovely day he thinks to himself, as his tongue flicks out of his mouth and back in. “So Sir, where are all the enemies?”