Seasons Change
Location: UNSC Reach, Beta Four Barracks
Date: July 3, 2531
Time: 0900 Hours
Three months had passed since that middle-of-the-night drill. Three months of training, patrols, and minor ops. In some ways, it felt like the war had slowed down, at least for us. There had been no major engagements like Arcadia, no Covenant fleets threatening Reach directly. But we all knew it was temporary. The Covenant never stayed quiet for long.
Beta Four had stayed busy. After that drill, Rawlins seemed intent on keeping us sharp, throwing us into training scenarios at every opportunity. We ran close-quarters combat drills, zero-G boarding simulations, and even participated in a joint exercise with Spartan teams. That one had been a humbling experience—watching the Spartans move like gods of war while we struggled to keep up. Still, it wasn't just about training.
There had been a few smaller deployments as well. Beta Four had been sent on a handful of quick-response missions, mostly in the outer colonies. We hit a Covenant scouting force on Ganymede, assisted in fortifying a supply depot on New Carthage, and even got called to reinforce a UNSC garrison on an asteroid mining facility. None of these operations were massive battles, but they were reminders that the war never stopped.
Location: UNSC Reach, Docking Bay 17
Date: July 3, 2531
Time: 1200 Hours
Now, we were back where it all started—the UNSC Never Forget. The ship had been rearmed and fully repaired after Arcadia, its sleek hull gleaming under the bright lights of Docking Bay 17. It was strange being back here, knowing what we'd gone through the last time we'd stepped aboard. But this time, it felt different. We weren't fresh off a rescue op. We were veterans of it.
Allen led the way as we boarded the ship, our gear stowed and ready. There was a certain weight to being back on the Never Forget, like we were stepping into the next chapter of the war. The familiar smell of the ship's recycled air filled my lungs as I followed the squad into the briefing room.
I could feel the tension among us as we settled into the seats around the large holotable. We knew something was up. The summons to rejoin the ship had come with a sense of urgency, the kind of message that told you this wasn't just another routine patrol.
The lights dimmed slightly as the holotable came to life, displaying a detailed map of a planet I didn't recognize. Moments later, Lieutenant Evan Cole entered the room, his usual energy tempered by the seriousness of the situation. He was still the same charismatic leader we remembered from our last debriefing, but there was something different in his eyes now—something sharper, more intense.
Behind him, Sergeant Major Rawlins stood at attention, his face its usual scowl. Whatever this mission was, it had them both on edge.
"Beta Four," Cole began, his voice steady but serious. "It's good to have you back aboard the Never Forget. I know the last few months have been focused on training and smaller deployments, but that's about to change."
He tapped the holotable, and the map zoomed in on the planet. I could see its name now—New Damascus—and the layout of what looked like a major city on the surface.
"We've received urgent intelligence from UNSC High Command," Cole continued. "The Covenant is making a major push in the outer colonies, and New Damascus is one of their primary targets. It's a major hub for UNSC research and weapons development, and if it falls into Covenant hands, the implications could be devastating."
Ramirez shifted in his seat, his voice low. "What kind of research are we talking about?"
Cole gave a grim smile. "Classified, Sergeant. All you need to know is that if the Covenant gets their hands on it, it could tip the balance of the war. That's why we're going in."
The holomap shifted, zooming in further to show key installations and critical areas across New Damascus. "Beta Four will be part of a larger task force assigned to secure the city's central research facility. Your mission is to deploy ahead of the main force and clear the way for our ground troops. You'll be going in via drop pod—hot insertion into the heart of the city."
Doc frowned, her arms crossed. "What kind of resistance are we expecting?"
"Covenant ground forces have already established a foothold in the city," Cole explained. "Grunts, Jackals, and possibly Elite units are confirmed. No signs of heavier armor yet, but we're not ruling anything out. The longer we wait, the stronger their hold becomes."
There was a pause as Cole let the information sink in. The situation was clear—this wasn't a hit-and-run or a minor skirmish. This was a full-scale defense op, and we were going in first.
Rawlins stepped forward, his tone harsh but to the point. "This is no place for mistakes. We've trained for months to keep sharp, but don't think for a second that you're ready for everything. You stay tight, you follow your orders, and you don't hesitate. One screw-up could cost us everything."
His eyes settled on me for a brief second before moving on. That familiar feeling of tension hit me, but I kept my expression neutral. I wasn't going to let his words get to me this time. I'd proven myself before, and I'd do it again.
Allen stood up from his seat, nodding to Cole. "We're ready, sir. Just give us the word."
Cole smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Good. You deploy in 48 hours. Make sure your gear is in order, and get some rest while you can."
The briefing ended with a final warning from Rawlins. "Remember—you're the first ones in. You clear the path, or no one else is coming."
Location: UNSC Never Forget, Beta Four Barracks
Date: July 3, 2531
Time: 1400 Hours
Back in the barracks, the mood was tense but focused. We all knew what was at stake now, and the thought of going back into a hot drop was weighing on everyone's minds.
Ramirez leaned back on his bunk, his SPNKR laid out in front of him as he inspected the rocket tubes. "Another hot drop, huh? Guess we can't stay away from these city fights."
Slink gave a dry chuckle, leaning against her bunk as she checked her explosives. "I was just getting used to sleeping in a real bed again."
Doc didn't say much, her attention on her medkit as she double-checked every piece of equipment. Her silence spoke volumes—we all knew what kind of injuries to expect in a mission like this.
I sat on my bunk, cleaning my M392 in silence. My mind was racing, replaying the briefing over and over. The idea of going in first, clearing the way for the main force, felt heavy. But there was also something else—a sense of readiness. We'd been training for months for this. We'd been through hell on Arcadia and come out the other side. We could do it again.
Allen stood at the door, watching us with his usual calm authority. "Get your gear in order. We've got 48 hours before the drop. Use the time to rest, but stay sharp. We're going to need everyone at their best."
I nodded, my grip tightening on my rifle. The weight of the mission was there, but so was the trust I had in the team. We were Beta Four. We'd survived worse.